European leaders arriving in Ukraine to negotiate a 30-day ceasefire deal with Russia have been told to ‘shove these peace plans’.
Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk took a train to Kyiv earlier this morning – despite US intelligence warning of ‘an air attack’ – to discuss a truce, which could begin as early as Monday.
In what is a largely symbolic gesture, they are hoping to increase pressure on the Kremlin to concede to the deal.
Yet, one of Vladimir Putin’s right-hand men, Dmitry Medvedev, said: ‘Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk were supposed to discuss peace in Kyiv. Instead, they are blurting out threats against Russia.’
The former Russian president and now deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, questioned whether the leaders really think giving Russia a choice between ‘a truce for the respite’ or new sanctions is ‘smart,’ telling them to ‘shove these peace plans’.
Security of Europe ‘at stake’
The French president stressed earlier that ‘the security of our continent is at stake here’ if the deal does not take place.
Macron wrote in a statement on X: ‘A just and lasting peace begins with a complete and unconditional ceasefire.
‘This is the proposal we are advancing with the US. Ukraine accepted it on March 11.
‘Russia, however, is procrastinating, setting conditions, buying time, and continuing its war of invasion. If Moscow persists in its blockade, we will increase the pressure, as Europeans and in close coordination with the US.’
Meanwhile, Germany’s new chancellor Merz said he will keep ‘increasing pressure on Russia’s war machine’ unless Russia agrees to a permanent deal.
Andriy Sybiga, Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs, said: ‘Ukraine and all allies are ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting already on Monday.’
In March, the US proposed an immediate, limited 30-day truce which was accepted by Ukraine, but the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.
Russia has already indicated it will not even consider the proposal unless the West halts arms supplies to Ukraine.
Russia is ‘already used to sanctions’
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also released a statement on X reiterating her support, warning that if the potential ceasefire is broken, the EU is ready to ‘impose further biting sanctions’.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov bit back, saying that his country is already ‘used to sanctions’.
‘We know what to do to minimise their impact after these sanctions are announced,’ he said.
‘We have learnt to do this. There is no point in trying to scare us with these sanctions.’
Fears of ‘significant air attack’ during visit
The visit comes at an unpredictable diplomatic moment in Russia’s more than three-year-long invasion.
There are also fears that Russia is plotting a massive air attack on Kyiv ‘at any time’.
The US embassy in the Ukrainian capital warned: ‘The US Embassy in Kyiv has received information concerning a potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days.
‘The Embassy, as always, recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.’
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