Participation of the President of Ukraine and European Leaders in Events within the Coalition of the Willing
The President and First Lady of Ukraine, Together with European Leaders, Commemorated Fallen Warriors in Kyiv
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, First Lady Olena Zelenska, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk commemorated the fallen Ukrainian defenders at Independence Square in Kyiv.
The participants of the ceremony placed votive candles at the National Memorial of Remembrance and observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of the fallen warriors.
European leaders arrived in Kyiv today to participate in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
Steps Toward a Ceasefire and Pressure on Russia: a Five-Party Meeting of the Leaders of Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland Took Place
The first five-party meeting in the United Europe in Ukraine format took place at the Mariyinsky Palace in Kyiv, bringing together President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European leaders for their visit to the capital of Ukraine, which is a genuine demonstration of unity and support. The President emphasized that the presence of each of them in Kyiv now, in the fourth year of the full-scale war, is of great importance to the Ukrainian people.
The Head of State also underscored the symbolic significance of this visit taking place during the days when Europe marks 80 years since the victory over Nazism.
Unity and joint efforts to build a future security architecture were the central themes of the meeting.
The leaders discussed steps toward a ceasefire, the need to exert pressure on Russia, security guarantees, and the importance of coordinating all efforts and joint actions with the United States of America.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Our Task Together Is to Make Moscow Stop
Ukraine is ready to move towards peace quickly and constructively. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during his speech at the meeting of the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing: Supporting Ukraine – Securing Our Future, which took place in Kyiv.
The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing was attended by: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. Joining online were the Presidents of Finland, Lithuania, the European Council, the European Commission, and the Acting President of Romania; the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden; as well as the Secretary General of NATO, the Deputy Prime Ministers of Australia and Croatia, and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye.
The President of Ukraine thanked all the participants of the Coalition of the Willing for standing with Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that the focus of today’s meeting was the 30-day unconditional ceasefire backed by sanction pressure, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and increasing defense support for Ukraine, including investments in Ukrainian defense production, enhancing the capabilities of Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces, military contingents, and unity with the United States.
“Ukraine is ready to move towards peace quickly and constructively. We accept the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. In fact, we ourselves are proposing it. Russia, as of now, is rejecting even a ceasefire, and if they refuse something as basic as that, it means they don't want to end the war at all,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
Keir Starmer stressed that the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire is absolutely clear.
“We reject the imposition of conditions, and we need to be really clear about that. It is for Russia, it's for Putin to come to the table for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, and there must be clear sanctions if he fails to do so. There is real unity on that,” said the UK Prime Minister.
Emmanuel Macron noted that the ceasefire should apply in the skies, at sea, and on land.
“We need a clear mechanism for the attribution of potential violations with robust penalties applied. And we firmly reject the possibility of making any concessions prejudging the outcome,” the President of France noted.
Friedrich Merz emphasized that Ukraine can count on Germany’s partnership and continued financial support on the path to peace.
“It is essential that we keep the United States on board. Ukraine is not the problem. It is extremely constructive. It is Russia that does not move unless we increase pressure. Putting pressure on Russia means strengthening Ukraine. We will need to do this for a long time if the war continues,” said the Federal Chancellor of Germany.
Donald Tusk stressed that Ukrainians are fighting not only for their own freedom, independence, and territorial integrity but also for all of Europe.
“We are also here to promise you and our people that we will not be naive. We will have no illusions about Putin and Russia. It means that we will also be very tough and clear. Unconditional ceasefire means unconditional ceasefire. Nothing else,” concluded the Prime Minister of Poland.
A Full and Unconditional Ceasefire Must Begin on May 12 for at Least 30 Days – The President
A full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. This agreement was reached during the first meeting of the leaders of United Europe in Ukraine, reaffirmed at the Coalition of the Willing leaders’ summit in Kyiv, and coordinated with President of the United States Donald Trump.
Following the Coalition of the Willing leaders’ meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk announced the results at a joint press conference.
“We all have just spoken with President Trump, and we agreed on our shared vision and our further actions. A full and unconditional ceasefire is urgently needed. Accountability for any refusal is essential. Under such a ceasefire, we will be able to jointly agree on the foundations for peace,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
An unconditional ceasefire means that no conditions are attached, and any attempt to impose conditions indicates an intention to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.
“Putin didn’t need conditions when he wanted a ceasefire to have a parade, and he doesn’t need them now. Ukraine has shown the willingness to engage again and again, but again and again, Putin has refused. So we are clear, all five leaders here, all the leaders of the meeting we just had with the Coalition of the Willing, an unconditional ceasefire,” said Keir Starmer.
If Russia rejects the ceasefire, sanctions will be imposed on its energy sector and banking system.
“Preparations for those sanctions are already underway and being coordinated between the Americans and the Europeans,” Emmanuel Macron emphasized.
During the meeting, the leaders also agreed that strengthening Ukraine’s Defense and Security Forces remains a clear priority as the main guarantee of Ukraine's sovereignty. A support contingent must also become a key component of the security guarantees. Strengthening the Ukrainian Armed Forces includes financing its defense capabilities and investing in weapons production in Ukraine, across European countries, and in joint industrial projects.
“We have discussed what the next steps toward a real peace might look like. The next step must go beyond just a ceasefire,” Friedrich Merz stressed.
In addition, the leaders agreed to continue efforts to ensure the effective use of frozen Russian assets and to raise the issue as a separate agenda item at the upcoming G7 Summit.
“For the first time in a long while, we had a feeling that the entire free world was united. And these are not slogans, but decisions we have taken,” Donald Tusk concluded.
Leaders of Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom Take a Joint Walk in Kyiv Following the Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of France Emmanuel Macron, and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer took a walk in central Kyiv following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
The leaders visited the Wall of Remembrance on Mykhailivska Square, laid flowers, and honored the memory of the fallen Ukrainian warriors. Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer paid tribute to the heroism and courage of Ukrainians who gave their lives in the fight against Russian aggression.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, and Keir Starmer also viewed an exhibition of destroyed Russian military equipment and then walked down the street to St. Sophia’s Cathedral. Throughout the walk, the leaders were accompanied by a guide who shared insights into the past and present of the Ukrainian capital.
Implementation of the Full Ceasefire Decision and Continued Strengthening of Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer Summarize Today’s Meetings with Partners
At St. Sophia’s Cathedral, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer held a bilateral meeting.
The Head of State thanked Keir Starmer for co-leading the Coalition of the Willing and for all the efforts the Prime Minister is making to ensure that cooperation within this format is truly effective.
The leaders of Ukraine and the United Kingdom summarized the outcomes of the first five-party meeting in the United Europe in Ukraine format and the Coalition of the Willing summit.
A key focus was the implementation of the agreement, reached with U.S. President Donald Trump, that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on May 12 for at least 30 days, as well as the strengthening of sanctions against Russia if it rejects the agreement.
Particular attention was paid to ensuring effective monitoring of the ceasefire and coordination with the United States.
The President and Prime Minister also discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, in particular the deployment of a support contingent, which should become a key element of such guarantees.
Other important topics included the continued strengthening of Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Outcomes of the Coalition of the Willing Meeting, Support for Ukraine's Defense and EU Accession: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Held Talks with Emmanuel Macron
At the Gorodetsky House, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a bilateral meeting with President of France Emmanuel Macron.
The Ukrainian President thanked Emmanuel Macron for his co-leadership in the Coalition of the Willing and for his personal efforts in uniting Ukraine’s partners, primarily the United States and European countries.
The leaders discussed the outcomes of the first five-party meeting in the United Europe in Ukraine format and the Coalition of the Willing meeting, including the implementation of the decision to launch a full, unconditional ceasefire starting May 12 for at least 30 days. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron also focused on the content of the sanctions package against Russia if it rejects the proposal.
In addition, they discussed Ukraine’s current defense needs and the strengthening of air defense. Special attention was given to expanding cooperation in the defense industry.
The leaders also addressed Ukraine’s path to EU membership. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that our state counts on France’s support in adopting the necessary political decisions at the EU level and in opening the first negotiation clusters.
Joint Statement by the Leaders of France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine Following the Meeting in Kyiv
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and Ukraine met in Kyiv.
They agreed that starting Monday, May 12, there should be a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days.
They concurred that an unconditional ceasefire by definition cannot be subject to any conditions. If Russia calls for such conditions, this can only be considered as an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.
They demanded that the ceasefire must be comprehensive – in the air, at sea, and on land.
They underlined that it requires effective monitoring, which could be successfully implemented in close coordination with the United States.
They agreed that the ceasefire should last for at least 30 days to create room for diplomacy. During this period, diplomatic work should focus on outlining the security, political and humanitarian foundations of peace.
They welcomed that the call for a ceasefire and meaningful negotiations is supported by both Europe and the United States.
They underlined the crucial importance of strengthening Ukraine’s Defence and Security Forces as the primary guarantee of Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. A key element of security guarantees to Ukraine should also be a reassurance force (Contingent).
They agreed that if Russia refuses a full and unconditional ceasefire, stronger sanctions should be applied to its banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil and the shadow fleet.
They agreed to pass a strong 17th EU sanctions package and to coordinate it with sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and Norway, as well as by the United States.
They agreed to continue working on the effective use of frozen Russian assets and to discuss this at the next G7 summit.
They expressed their readiness to further strengthen Ukraine’s defence, especially the Ukrainian army. This should include funding defence resilience and investment in arms production in both Ukraine and in European countries in the framework of joint projects.