Western leaders, notably from the US, UK, France, Germany, and Poland, exerted pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. The US, under President Trump's backing, and its allies threatened escalating military support for Ukraine and imposing harsher sanctions on Russia if Putin did not comply.
The proposed ceasefire is conditional on unconditional adherence from both sides, with direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv without preconditions. The US would primarily oversee the ceasefire, with European participation, allowing immediate negotiations on a lasting peace.
If Putin fails to agree, the coalition of countries pledged to impose more stringent sanctions targeting Russia's energy and banking sectors. The coalition will also focus on increasing financial and logistical support to Ukraine, including supplies of tanks, drones, ammunition, and long-range missiles. The discussion around the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine was intentionally kept vague to maintain strategic ambiguity.
Germany, under Chancellor Merz, adopted a policy of ‘strategic ambiguity,’ mirroring France's approach, to avoid public debate and to prevent revealing the type and quantity of military aid sent to Ukraine. This is intended to limit Putin's ability to plan his military actions.