Russian President Vladimir Putin will “think through” a Western proposal for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, after the US and European allies threatened Russia with "massive" new sanctions if it did not comply. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Ukraine set the start of the ceasefire for May 12. Read our liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded.
Ukraine’s security is our security, says UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Germany will stop reporting arms deliveries to Ukraine, Merz says
The German government will stop publishing details of military aid to Ukraine, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday during a visit to Kyiv.
Sources with knowledge of the matter had earlier told Reuters that public information about the delivery of weapons systems to Ukraine was to be reduced to achieve "strategic ambiguity" and prevent Russia gaining any strategic advantages.
"Under my leadership, the debate about arms deliveries, caliber, weapons systems and so on will be taken out of the public eye," Merz told RTL/ntv broadcasters in Kyiv.
Merz, who took office on Tuesday, said Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia's invasion would not change.
"Germany will continue to expand its financial support. I am counting on you (...) to do the same with us," Merz said, addressing other European leaders at a meeting in Kyiv.
Kremlin says will 'think through' Ukraine ceasefire proposal
The Kremlin on Saturday said it would "think through" a Ukraine ceasefire proposal put forward by Kyiv's Western allies, while saying it was "useless" to "pressure Moscow", state media reported.
"We have to think this through. It is a new development," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN, according to state media, adding: "But trying to pressure us is quite useless."
Ukraine is ready for 'negotiations in any format', says Zelensky
The chances that Russia would accept the ceasefire are “quite slim”
FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Kyiv Emmanuel Chaze said the chances that Russia would accept a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine are “quite slim”. She added that "we have just seen more gas-lighting coming from Moscow toward Kyiv and its allies, making Kyiv responsible for this war [and] responsible for the fact that fighting continues".
The US initially put forward a proposal of a ceasefire on March 11 which “had been supported by Ukraine’s allies as well as by Kyiv", said Chaze. Click on the video below for more.
Turkey ready to undertake duty for observing potential ceasefire in Ukraine, source says
Turkey is ready to undertake the duty to observe a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, its foreign minister said during a "coalition of the willing" call with Kyiv's partners on Saturday, a Turkish foreign ministry source said.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan joined the coalition of the willing call and emphasised Turkey's commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity, the Turkish foreign ministry source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.
Fidan voiced Ankara's support for the efforts for the unconditional ceasefire and added that Turkey was ready to undertake the duty for observing the ceasefire in Ukraine if it is established, the source also said.
Kremlin says European countries' statements are 'confrontational', Interfax reports
The Kremlin accused European countries on Saturday of making contradictory and confrontational statements, Interfax news agency reported, after European leaders backed a US plan for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine and threatened Russia with "massive" sanctions if it failed to comply.
"We hear many contradictory statements from Europe. They are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations. Nothing more," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.
Europe leaders in Kyiv turn up pressure on Russia over ceasefire
Ukraine and European leaders agreed on Saturday to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire on May 12 with the backing of US President Donald Trump.
The announcement was made by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Ukraine after a meeting in Kyiv, after which they held a phone call with Trump. The US leader, who wants a rapid peace, has not commented publicly on the course of action.
Macron warns Russia faces 'massive' Europe, US sanctions if it breaks proposed 30-day truce
French President Emmanuel Macron warned Saturday that Russia would face "massive" coordinated European and US sanctions if it broke a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine proposed by Kyiv's Western allies.
"In the event of a violation of this ceasefire, we have agreed that massive sanctions will be prepared and coordinated between Europeans and Americans," Macron told a press conference in Kyiv.
European leaders say Trump agreed to sanction Russia unless ceasefire agreed
Ukraine and European leaders agreed on Saturday to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from May 12 with the backing of US President Donald Trump, threatening Russian President Vladimir Putin with new "massive" sanctions if he failed to comply.
Has the war in Ukraine brought Europeans closer together?
FRANCE 24 spoke to Helena Ivanov, associate research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, whether the war in Ukraine has brought Europe closer together.
NATO’s Rutte says it is clear ‘coalition of the willing’ committed to Ukraine
After joining a “coalition of the willing” call with Kyiv’s partners, NATO chief Mark Rutte said it was “clear” the group is committed and continues to stand with Ukraine.
Ukraine, European leaders push for 'unconditional' 30-day ceasefire starting Monday
Ukraine and its allies are ready for a “full, unconditional ceasefire” with Russia for at least 30 days starting on Monday, Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha said on Saturday.
His remarks came as the leaders of four major European countries visited Kyiv, amid a push for Moscow to agree to a truce and launch peace talks on ending the nearly three-year war. It coincided with on the last day of a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by Russia that Ukraine says the Kremlin’s forces have repeatedly violated.
In March, the United States proposed an immediate, limited 30-day truce which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.
European leaders and Zelensky hold call with Trump on peace efforts, Ukraine says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the visiting leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland held a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Saturday and discussed their peace efforts, the Ukrainian foreign minister said.
In a statement on X, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and all its allies were ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land, air and at sea for at least 30 days starting on Monday.
He described the phone call as "productive"
EU chief: Truce must be implemented 'without preconditions'
Zelensky visits war memorial with Macron, Starmer, Tusk and Starmer
Germany warns Russia of harder sanctions if it refuses Ukraine ceasefire
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Russia will face massively tougher sanctions if it refuses the 30-day ceasefire demanded by the West, in an interview published by the Bild daily.
If President Vladimir Putin does not agree to the truce, “there will be a massive hardening of sanctions and the massive aid to Ukraine will continue—politically, of course, but also financially and militarily”, he said.
