Ukraine demands 30-day truce backed by allies including US

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier dismissed the European threat, telling state television that 'it's pointless to frighten us with these sanctions'

- Bloomberg

KYIV: Ukraine and European powers demanded that Russia join an "unconditional" 30-day ceasefire from May 12 to allow talks on ending the war, saying they had backing from US President Donald Trump for the ultimatum.

A refusal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe the truce would trigger a fresh wave of sanctions targeting energy and the financial sector, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.

The plan was announced after Zelensky held talks in Kyiv with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish premier Donald Tusk. The five leaders then discussed the proposal in a phone call with Trump.

"We have agreed that from Monday, May 12, a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days should start," Zelensky told reporters. "Together, we demand this from Russia. We know that the US are supporting us on this."

Ukraine and its allies had "an absolutely clear and unanimous stance" on the proposal, Zelensky said.