The German Chancellor, the Presidents of France and Ukraine, as well as the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and Poland during a meeting in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: EPA
On Sunday, Ukraine's European allies emphasized that they would issue almost identical statements calling for a ceasefire.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the Russian president's proposal as "a first step, but not enough." "There can be no question of stopping fire without conditions before negotiations. Putin is looking for a way, but wants to gain time," he said to journalists while returning home from Kyiv in the Polish city of Przemyśl.
On Sunday morning, Macron wrote that negotiations cannot be conducted in parallel with military actions.
"In Kyiv, together with President Trump, we made a clear proposal: a 30-day ceasefire without any conditions starting from Monday. President Zelensky agreed to this and did not impose any conditions. We are now waiting for a similarly clear response from Russia," Macron wrote on social media. "Negotiations cannot take place while bombs are falling. Negotiations cannot take place while civilians are being bombed. Reconciliation is needed right now for negotiations to begin. For peace."
German Chancellor Friedrich Mers also referred to Putin's words as a "good sign," like Macron and Zelensky, but emphasized that "this is still far from what is needed."
"We are waiting for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire that ensures real negotiations. First, the weapons must fall silent, then discussions can begin," Mers stated.
"The Russians have proposed peace negotiations starting from May 15 in response to our call. However, the world is urgently waiting for a clear decision on a ceasefire without any conditions. Ukraine is ready. Enough with the casualties!" wrote Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
U.S. President Donald Trump has so far limited himself to providing a general comment on the recent events, calling them a "potential great day" for Russia and Ukraine.
However, it is difficult to draw a clear conclusion from the American president's post about what has encouraged him: whether it is the collective demand of Ukraine's allies for a 30-day ceasefire or the proposal to return to direct negotiations alongside Putin's refusal to cease fire.
