Kyiv, Ukraine – In a powerful display of solidarity, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland arrived in Kyiv Saturday, a day after Russia’s Victory day parade in Moscow. This visit occurs amidst heightened tensions, with the U.S. warning of intelligence indicating a significant impending air attack on Ukraine.

The Journey to Kyiv

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled together by train.
• Polish President Donald Tusk journeyed separately.
• The leaders convened in Rzeszow, Poland, Friday night before their departure to Ukraine.

Downing Street issued a statement late Friday confirming the leaders’ meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,emphasizing their support for Ukraine.

A United Front

The four leaders issued a joint statement affirming their commitment:

we, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland the United Kingdom will stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion.

President Tusk echoed this sentiment in a post on X, stating, Kyiv. There is an crucial day ahead of us.

Calls for Ceasefire and US Warning

During their visit, the European leaders are expected to reiterate calls for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, an initiative previously supported by Donald Trump and his management as a potential frist step toward a enduring peace deal. While Ukraine has expressed readiness to implement such a ceasefire, Russia has thus far refused.

Adding to the urgency,the U.S. embassy in Kyiv issued a public warning late Friday regarding a potential air attack:

Potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days.

The embassy did not provide further details.

Paying Respects and Planning for Peace

Saturday morning, the European leaders, accompanied by President Zelenskyy and his wife, visited Kyiv’s Maidan, where thousands of flags commemorate those killed in the war. After paying their respects and observing a moment of silence, thay proceeded to talks with Zelenskyy.

Downing Street later announced that the five leaders would participate in a virtual meeting to update othre leaders on the progress of a planned “air, land, maritime and regeneration force” intended as part of a future peace deal.

The leaders emphasized their commitment to supporting peace talks:

We are ready to support peace talks quickly, to discuss technical implementation of the ceasefire, and prepare for a full peace deal.

They also pledged to increase pressure on Russia:

We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine.

Background and Context

This marks Macron’s first visit to Kyiv as the summer of 2022 and Merz’s first as chancellor, having assumed office this week.

The visit follows Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, attended by numerous world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The presence of slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić at the parade drew criticism from other European leaders.

The EU’s top diplomat stated:

All those who truly support peace cannot stand side-by-side with Putin.Those who truly support peace should be in Ukraine tomorrow, not Moscow.

Foreign ministers from several EU countries, along with britain’s David Lammy, traveled to Lviv friday to announce the establishment of a tribunal for Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Focus on US Relations

Saturday’s visit to Kyiv is expected to focus on establishing a unified Western stance on Ukraine to present to Donald Trump, as European leaders seek to maintain U.S. support.Despite initial perceptions of the Trump administration being tougher on Kyiv than Moscow, recent signals suggest a potential shift in Washington, following a positive meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the Vatican.

Even Vice President JD Vance, previously seen as skeptical of supporting Ukraine, has recently criticized Moscow’s demands:

Right now, the Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements, a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict. we think they’re asking for too much.
JD Vance, U.S. Vice President

When asked about a message for Putin, Trump stated:

I have a message for both parties: Get this war ended. Get this stupid war finished. That’s my message for both of them.
Donald Trump, Former U.S. President