US President Donald Trump said on Friday, the 9th of May, that he wants Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “end this war” in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland travelled to Kyiv for talks with the Ukrainian President on Saturday, the 10th of May, in a show of unity a day after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin hosted his allies in a Victory Day parade in Red Square, reports Reuters.
Trump was asked what his message to Putin was after the US embassy in Kyiv warned of a “potentially significant” air strike in the coming days.
“I have a message for both sides – end this war,” Trump said of Ukraine and Russia. “End this stupid war. That’s my message to both sides,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
THE EMBASSY SAID ON ITS WEBSITE ON FRIDAY THAT IT HAD RECEIVED INFORMATION OF A MAJOR AIR STRIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
“As always, the embassy advises US citizens to be prepared to seek immediate shelter in the event of an air alert,” the embassy said in a statement.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will visit Kyiv on Saturday to discuss the US-European proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
This will be the first time the leaders of the four countries will travel to Ukraine together.
“Together with the United States, we call on Russia to agree on a full and unconditional ceasefire for 30 days to create space for negotiations on a just and lasting peace,” the four European leaders said in a joint statement.
A French diplomatic source added that the leaders’ summit would also discuss what additional new sanctions to impose on Moscow if it rejected the proposal.
The four foreign leaders are also expected to pay their respects at a memorial in central Kyiv to honour Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war.
They are expected to hold a virtual meeting with other leaders to update them on progress being made on the future coalition of air, land, sea and “reconstruction” forces that would help rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces after any peace deal, Britain’s Downing Street said.
THE VISIT COMES ON THE LAST DAY OF A CEASEFIRE DECLARED BY PUTIN FROM THE 8TH TO THE 10TH OF MAY, WHICH WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY UKRAINE, WHICH DENOUNCED IT AS A SHAM.
Both sides have accused each other of violating it.
The visit also comes at a tense time in Russia’s war against Ukraine. US President Trump wants a quick peace and the US has improved relations with Ukraine after previous tensions. However, Trump now seems frustrated with Russia’s attitude and has warned of tougher sanctions if there is no progress.
Trump on Thursday called for a 30-day ceasefire, and Zelenskyy said he would be ready to implement it immediately.
On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia supported a 30-day ceasefire, but only taking into account “nuances”.
Merz, who became German chancellor this week, said on Friday that the ball was now in Moscow’s court.
“There and only there will be a decision on whether there is a possibility, starting this weekend, that is early next week, to secure a more durable ceasefire in Ukraine,” he said.