"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.
Public broadcaster backs off airing 'Russians at War' amid Toronto festival protests
Canada's publicly-funded broadcaster TVO (formerly TVOntario) announced on Sept. 10 that it will not be airing a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers, following protests from the Ukrainian-Canadian community against the film's inclusion in the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film, "Russians at War," directed by a Russian-Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova, had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 10.
Hundreds took to streets in Toronto outside the Scotiabank Theatre, where the film was shown, according to the Kyiv Independent reporter on the ground. The demonstration featured vocal chants such as "Russia is a terrorist state" and "Shame on TIFF."
TVO's board of directors said in a statement that they have chosen to "respect the feedback" from the community regarding "Russians at War," a film portraying Russian soldiers' disillusionment with the invasion of Ukraine.
The production of Trofimova’s film was supported by several Canadian entities. It received $250,000 (340,000 Canadian dollars) in funding from the Canada Media Fund—a public-private partnership backed by the Department of Canadian Heritage—during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The film was produced in collaboration with TVO. Canadian officials have emphasized that the Canada Media Fund operates independently in its funding decisions, without direct government involvement.
TVO had earlier defended the documentary, describing it as an "antiwar film" created at great personal risk by the filmmaker. The broadcaster also encouraged viewers to watch the film "for themselves" before forming an opinion.
TVO had originally intended to broadcast the documentary "in the coming months." Instead, the broadcaster will no longer support or air "Russians at War."
"TVO will be reviewing the process by which this project was funded and our brand leveraged," reads the statement.
Canadian government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, have strongly criticized the use of public funds to support a controversial documentary that portrays Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
"It’s not right for Canadian public money to be supporting the screening and production of a film like this," Freeland said during a press briefing on Sept. 10.
Kate Tsurkan
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