"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.
UAE banks block Russian payments for Chinese electronics, media reports
Banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been rejecting transactions from Russian companies for electronic components and consumer electronics from China since early August, the pro-Kremlin outlet Kommersant reported on Aug. 28.
The reason is the risk of secondary actions, the outlet claimed.
This comes as another case of mounting obstacles in Russian-Chinese economic relations amid the growing pressure of U.S. sanctions imposed over Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to Kommersant's undisclosed sources, Russian firms used UAE-based entities to transfer money to China to ship goods directly to Russia.
Now, transactions for those products that do not arrive directly to the Gulf country are blocked, the outlet said. According to its sources, the restrictions came at China's initiative.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
🇺🇦 Celebrating Independence Day with a store sale
The U.S. unveiled a new set of sanctions against Chinese and Russian companies over their support for Moscow's aggression last week. Despite efforts to avoid or mitigate the impact of the trade restrictions, Chinese institutions have begun scaling back their business dealings with Russia.
Specifically, a number of major Chinese banks have begun blocking transactions for electronics out of fear of secondary sanctions.
Most recently, in June, the Russian subsidiary of the Chinese state-run Bank of China stopped accepting payments from Russian banks.
China has become Russia's key economic lifeline during the full-scale war, as the trade between the two countries surged by 121% since 2021. A functioning payment system is necessary for maintaining trade relations, and Russia was cut off from the international SWIFT system in 2022.
Western countries have also reportedly ramped up pressure on the UAE to stop allowing Russian entities to dodge sanctions. The Gulf country is believed to be one of the main pipelines for sanctioned dual-use goods like electronics being shipped to Russia.
Throughout Russia's full-scale war, the UAE has maintained economic and cultural ties with Russia but has also signed new trade agreements with Ukraine.
Martin Fornusek
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