Europe, US propose 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, warn Russia of ‘massive’ new sanctions

New Delhi, May 10: A coalition of Western leaders has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to an immediate 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, warning that failure to comply could trigger a fresh wave of sweeping sanctions. The proposal, announced Saturday, follows a high-level meeting between European leaders and a conference call with U.S. President Donald Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at a joint press conference with France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Poland’s Donald Tusk, and other European leaders, said the international community was “calling Putin out” to show whether he is serious about peace.

The ceasefire, proposed to begin on Monday, aims to turn symbolic VE Day commemorations into a broader pause in fighting. Starmer and his counterparts framed the proposal as a test of Russia’s willingness to de-escalate, with the promise of severe consequences if rejected.

“We are prepared to act,” Starmer warned, referencing “new and massive sanctions” and further military aid to Ukraine if Moscow fails to cooperate.

Germany’s Friedrich Merz echoed that message, stating that almost all members of the so-called “coalition of the willing” are committed to imposing penalties if the ceasefire is ignored.

Poland’s Donald Tusk added that current sanctions were already taking a toll on Russia’s economy.

French President Emmanuel Macron called Ukraine the “beating heart of Europe” and said discussions on potential deployment and security guarantees are ongoing among allies.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the coordinated effort but expressed cautious optimism. “I have no illusions,” he said, acknowledging the risk of breaches, but praised the joint proposal as “an important step.”

The Kremlin quickly dismissed the Western initiative. In comments reported by Russian news agency Interfax, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticised the tone of the proposal, saying, “We hear many contradictory statements from Europe. They are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations.”

Russia has previously rejected ceasefire proposals from Washington, most recently in March, when Putin laid out stringent conditions for halting the war, including a total halt in Western arms shipments to Kyiv. On Saturday, Peskov reiterated that no truce could be considered unless Ukraine’s allies stop supplying weapons. Despite the Kremlin’s response, Western leaders insist the door to diplomacy remains open—but not indefinitely. The coming days may determine whether the proposed truce marks the start of de-escalation or another missed opportunity in Europe’s longest conflict since World War II.