Zelensky and European leaders inform Trump of their readiness for a 30-day ceasefire.

Left to right: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv on May 10.

Ukrainian President Zelensky and several NATO leaders spoke with former President Trump on Saturday, expressing their willingness to begin an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, according to Ukraine’s foreign minister.

Why it matters: Earlier this week, Trump proposed a 30-day ceasefire to halt the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine has agreed to the proposal, but the Kremlin has not yet provided a definitive response.

Trump has warned that whichever side refuses the ceasefire could face new sanctions.

Driving the news: On Saturday, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland traveled to Kyiv, where they met with President Zelensky to deliberate on the ceasefire initiative.

Following the meeting, Zelensky and the European leaders contacted Trump by phone to update him on their position.

“Ukraine and all allied nations are prepared to implement a full and unconditional ceasefire—by land, air, and sea—for a minimum of 30 days starting Monday,” stated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

He added that if Russia consents and proper monitoring is established, this ceasefire could serve as a foundation for peace negotiations and confidence-building efforts.

Behind the scenes: According to two sources familiar with the 15-minute call, Zelensky and the European leaders informed Trump that Ukraine is ready to engage in direct peace talks with Russia if the ceasefire is agreed upon.

They emphasized that if Putin rejects the 30-day ceasefire, European nations are prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia.

One source noted that Trump appeared pleased with Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire and its willingness to negotiate directly with Russia.

The second source mentioned that Trump appreciated the unified support for his proposal, adding, “Now we’re waiting for Russia’s next move.”

Trump urges a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and warns of sanctions if it is "not upheld."

Putin and Trump meet in 2019

President Trump on Thursday called for an “ideally 30-day unconditional ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine, warning that sanctions will follow if the ceasefire is “not respected.”

Why it matters: While it remains uncertain whether Trump’s statement will tangibly influence developments on the battlefield, it adds a new dimension to the ongoing diplomatic maneuvers aimed at achieving peace.

Between the lines: Trump’s declaration, posted on his Truth Social platform, came shortly after a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to individuals familiar with the call, the two leaders discussed the prospects for initiating direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump’s message echoed Zelensky’s stance that a ceasefire—unconditional and immediate—must serve as the foundation for any meaningful negotiation toward a lasting peace deal. Although Trump previously proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which Zelensky supported, Russian President Vladimir Putin declined the offer.

In the weeks that followed, Trump and his advisers began advocating for a broader peace plan that many Ukrainian officials perceived as disproportionately favorable to Moscow. However, Trump now appears to be re-emphasizing the ceasefire approach as a necessary first step.

What they are saying:

"Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations," Trump stated. "If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions."

Trump affirmed his commitment to ending the war, emphasizing a collaborative path forward with European allies. "I remain dedicated to achieving Peace between Russia and Ukraine, working alongside our European partners," he said.

He further emphasized that the ceasefire should be a pathway to a negotiated settlement.

“It can all be done very quickly, and I will be available on a moment’s notice if my services are needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump concluded.

The other side:

Following his discussion with Trump, President Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter) that their conversation covered “specific steps that could be taken” to bring the conflict to an end.

“I also informed him that Ukraine is prepared to begin a 30-day ceasefire, starting immediately. We are awaiting Russia’s response to this proposal,” Zelensky said.

He reaffirmed his openness to peace negotiations with Moscow, expressing a willingness to engage “in any format.”

“However, Russia must show it is serious about ending the war, and that begins with a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Zelensky added.

What to watch:

There is ambiguity surrounding how Trump intends to enforce sanctions tied to a ceasefire that has not yet been formally agreed upon. While he has previously mentioned the possibility of penalizing Russia for delays in peace efforts, concrete actions have yet to follow.