UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Saturday ahead of a high-level meeting with other European leaders, where they are expected to call for a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the BBC reports.
Joining Starmer in the Ukrainian capital are French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is expected to arrive later in the day.
Ahead of the meeting, the European leaders released a joint statement, reaffirming their commitment to stand with Ukraine during this challenging time.
“We are ready to support peace talks as soon as possible, to discuss the technical implementation of a ceasefire, and to prepare for a comprehensive peace agreement,” they declared in unison, pledging to “increase pressure” on Russia until it agrees to a full ceasefire.
The leaders reiterated the call for a complete and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, as initially proposed by the United States in March, aiming to pave the way for sustainable peace negotiations.
Later in the day, the European leaders will participate in a virtual meeting with other global leaders, where they are expected to discuss an “international security guarantee force”—an initiative aimed at restoring and strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities after a peace agreement is reached, according to the UK Prime Minister’s Office.
Their visit comes just one day after Russia’s annual Victory Day parade, held in Moscow to mark the end of World War II.
