"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
The announcement follows mounting fears that the two nuclear-armed countries were on the brink of engaging in another full-scale war.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
The visit marks Merz’s first trip to Ukraine, and the first time all four leaders have travelled there together.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
"As in the past, it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace," the EU's statement reads.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
The number includes 1,310 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Parliament speaker Stefanchuk blocks Poroshenko’s US trip to international security conference, party says
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk has blocked a planned international trip by European Solidarity leader Petro Poroshenko to the United States, the party said in a statement on April 2.
Poroshenko had been scheduled to attend and speak at the annual international security conference titled "Challenges in the Global Political Landscape – How to Strengthen Democracy," held in Florida.
The event brings together center-right political forces affiliated with the International Democracy Union (IDU), including the U.S. Republican Party, one of its founding members. European Solidarity said Poroshenko planned to meet with members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team during the conference at Mar-a-Lago.
The meetings were intended to focus on strategies for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, strengthening Ukraine’s defense, and ensuring the country’s political, democratic, and economic resilience.
European Solidarity called the blocked trip a violation of democratic principles, accusing Stefanchuk of obstructing opposition activity and undermining parliamentary diplomacy. The party said the decision contradicted the values of multi-party pluralism and weakened Ukraine’s institutional democracy during a critical time.
Stefanchuk responded that the travel request was submitted "last night with the demand to send the MP abroad the very next morning," adding that official trips are allowed only within the framework of interparliamentary activity. He dismissed the event as "conference tourism with a side of self-promotion," saying it had "nothing to do with official parliamentary work."
Poroshenko and his party have also called on the Verkhovna Rada to appeal to the U.S. Congress for a new resolution reaffirming bipartisan support for Ukraine. The proposed resolution would include guarantees of continued military and financial assistance, as well as expanded sanctions against Russia.
Kateryna Denisova
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