A Potential Turning Point: International Push for a 30-Day Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukrain
Mohamed Aboelsoud 
In a significant diplomatic move that could pave the way for de-escalation, the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland — backed by U.S. President Donald Trump — have called for a comprehensive, unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, set to begin early next week.
The proposal was announced during a joint visit by the European leaders to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where they voiced their full support for direct peace talks between the two countries, contingent on the ceasefire taking effect.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the initiative, declaring his country’s readiness to commit fully to the ceasefire and engage in serious negotiations with Moscow, while calling for international guarantees to ensure the agreement is upheld.
Russia, for its part, expressed conditional openness to the proposal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that any truce must be accompanied by a "complete halt to the flow of Western arms to Ukraine," a condition seen by analysts as a test of the West’s credibility in supporting de-escalation efforts. Should Moscow reject the initiative or breach its terms, European leaders and the United States have warned of harsh new economic sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors, alongside promises to boost military support for Ukraine
The development comes shortly after a symbolic three-day truce declared by Russia to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II — a ceasefire that ultimately failed to halt continued hostilities on the ground.
The international community now watches closely as the Kremlin weighs its response — a decision that could mark a decisive turning point in a war that has dragged on for more than three years
