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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Saturday for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine without preconditions, warning Russia would face additional sanctions if it violated such an agreement.
"We support the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day cease-fire. It must be implemented without preconditions to pave the way for meaningful peace negotiations," von der Leyen wrote on X.
Her statement came as the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, and Poland visited Kyiv in a show of solidarity with Ukraine and to increase pressure on Moscow to end hostilities.
"The ball is now in Russia's court. We stand ready to maintain strong pressure on Russia and impose further biting sanctions in the event of a breach of a cease-fire," the commission president added.
The Kremlin has thus far shown reluctance to halt its invasion despite U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a cease-fire. Moscow previously stated that no truce would be possible unless Western countries stopped supplying weapons to Ukrainian forces.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the ultimate goal remains achieving a "just and lasting peace for Ukraine," which she described as vital for security and stability across Europe.
The high-level diplomatic visit to Kyiv underscores continuing European support for Ukraine amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly following Trump's return to the White House and his different approach to the conflict compared to his predecessor.
European leaders have consistently maintained that any resolution to the conflict must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, though specific positions on potential compromises have varied among Western allies.
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