European Leaders in Kyiv Push for 30-Day Ceasefire Amid Russia's Truce Violations

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed optimism about reaching a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine as early as this weekend. Merz, sworn in on May 6, made these comments in Brussels on May 9, before traveling to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The European leaders are in Kyiv to show solidarity with Ukraine and to advance a proposal for a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. This initiative follows a similar call from U.S. President Donald Trump on May 8, who urged Russia to agree to a month-long ceasefire and threatened additional sanctions if it does not comply. The proposal comes after Russia declared a 3-day truce from May 8-11, which it has already violated. The visit to Kyiv comes a day after Russia's Victory Day parade, where President Vladimir Putin hosted several foreign leaders, including China's Xi Jinping. The European leaders' proposal for a ceasefire is reportedly aligned with the U.S. proposal, and they hope Russia will accept it. Merz believes there is a chance that Russia's three-day truce could be extended to 30 days, leading to negotiations on a peace treaty.