In a concerted effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the United States, in collaboration with European allies France, Britain, and Germany, is finalizing a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. This initiative, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to pause hostilities and create a window for diplomatic negotiations and humanitarian relief.

The ceasefire proposal includes a warning that further sanctions will be imposed on Russia should the ceasefire not be honored. Ukraine has indicated its willingness to accept the proposal, while Russia has declared a temporary three-day ceasefire from May 8–10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II's end. Discussions are ongoing about the structure of the ceasefire, whether it will be comprehensive or compartmentalized, and how to respond should Russia decline. The sanctions, if triggered, would be jointly coordinated between the U.S. and the European Union.

Diplomatic efforts have intensified recently, with meetings between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, and further discussions planned in Ukraine. A hybrid meeting of Ukraine’s allies is set for Saturday to review the proposal, with French President Emmanuel Macron confirming participation. Diplomats have expressed frustration over Russia’s lack of engagement with previous proposals and indicated that a decision on sanctions and announcement of the ceasefire is imminent.

On May 10, 2025, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland traveled to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, demonstrating a united front in support of Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. Their visit followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day military parade in Moscow, attended by allies like China’s Xi Jinping. The summit aims to promote a U.S. and European-backed proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. President Donald Trump, advocating a swift resolution to the over three-year-long conflict, has pushed for the ceasefire and expressed frustration over Russian delays while threatening increased sanctions. While Zelenskiy voiced readiness to implement the truce, the Kremlin responded cautiously, indicating support contingent on certain “nuances.” The European leaders also planned to honor fallen Ukrainian soldiers and discuss future support for rebuilding Ukraine’s military. International momentum to hold the Russian leadership accountable through a special tribunal is growing, as European ministers have expressed backing for such measures. The outcome of the ceasefire proposal is awaited, with officials suggesting an announcement may come soon, placing the onus on Russia to act.

Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat has highlighted deepening rifts with the West, largely due to its ongoing war in Ukraine. While President Vladimir Putin hosted leaders from China, Brazil, and Slovakia in a show of strength, the EU and Western leaders marked the occasion separately. The EU announced nearly €2 billion in military aid for Ukraine, funded partly by Russian frozen assets, and supported the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian officials for war crimes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed these calls, advocating justice akin to post-WWII actions against Nazis. Meanwhile, France and Poland signed a new defense pact, reinforcing European security.

In diplomatic efforts, European leaders and Donald Trump discussed a proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine supports but Moscow has conditional reservations about. Estonia took a particularly strong stand by displaying a banner comparing Putin to Hitler. Despite Western sanctions and efforts to isolate him, Putin touted support from non-Western allies and praised Russian troops in Ukraine during Moscow’s military parade. The stark division between Russia and the West underscores the global tensions sparked by the continued conflict in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump has been actively involved in advocating for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. On May 9, 2025, he urged both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump labeled the conflict a "stupid war" and called for its termination ahead of a planned trip to the Middle East. The U.S. embassy in Kyiv warned of a "potentially significant" air attack, advising Americans to be ready to seek shelter. Trump had a "very good and productive" phone call with Zelenskiy, expressing hope that both nations would agree to a proposed 30-day ceasefire. While Trump will not meet with Putin during his Middle East trip, discussions about the ceasefire continue. Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak discussed the ceasefire's details and potential peace settlement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials, reaffirming the importance of implementing agreements made by the two presidents.

European leaders have been actively involved in supporting Ukraine and advocating for a ceasefire. On May 10, 2025, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the UK visited Kyiv in a show of Western solidarity with Ukraine amid renewed efforts to establish a 30-day ceasefire and encourage peace talks with Russia. This marks the first joint trip to Kyiv for the group since Friedrich Merz recently became Germany’s chancellor. In a joint statement, the leaders supported U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for a peace deal and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion and engage in negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed Kyiv’s readiness for a ceasefire, though Russia has yet to agree. Despite pledges of restraint, Russia has continued targeting civilian areas, including recent deadly missile and drone attacks on Kyiv. The U.S., Europe, and Ukraine are reportedly close to finalizing a ceasefire plan tied to potential new sanctions on Russia if it refuses to comply. EU foreign ministers also called for a special tribunal to prosecute senior Russian officials for war crimes. The UK imposed fresh sanctions on Russia’s oil-shipping “shadow fleet.” During the visit, leaders will honor Ukrainian war dead and later discuss support for rebuilding Ukraine’s defenses and ensuring its long-term security.

Efforts to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine are showing signs of progress, according to Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Speaking after recent calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump, Stubb expressed cautious optimism about the military and diplomatic developments. He noted that although an exact timeline is unclear, an ideal outcome would be a ceasefire agreement over the upcoming weekend. Together with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, Stubb initiated a conversation with Trump and engaged in discussions with other European leaders and defense officials. Stoere also acknowledged improvements compared to previous weeks, emphasizing continued U.S. commitment. President Trump has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and warned of increased sanctions if it is violated. Ukraine has indicated its willingness to support the proposal. Meanwhile, fighting persists: Russia reported Ukrainian troop activities in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, while Ukraine cited 80 Russian attacks along the front line. Russia has independently declared a limited ceasefire from May 8 to 10, aligning with WWII anniversary commemorations.

A 30-day ceasefire would provide a critical window for humanitarian aid to reach affected regions, potentially alleviating the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict. The collaborative effort between the U.S. and European nations underscores a unified international stance against aggression, potentially strengthening diplomatic ties and setting a precedent for future conflict resolution. The threat of increased sanctions on Russia serves as a deterrent and reflects the economic leverage being employed to influence geopolitical outcomes.

As diplomatic efforts intensify, the international community awaits Russia's response to the ceasefire proposal. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this initiative can pave the way for a lasting peace in the region.