Merz Pushes 30-Day Ceasefire Plan as Europe Marks 80 Years Since WWII’s End

In a carefully coordinated international move, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, alongside European leaders, has launched what he called the most significant diplomatic effort in recent years to pause the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a high-level summit held in Kyiv, Merz stood with his counterparts from France, the United Kingdom, and Poland to jointly propose a 30-day unconditional ceasefire to Russia, aiming to open space for peace talks and political resolution.

The proposal is being described by German officials as a diplomatic turning point. “We are aligned with the American president on this demand,” Merz stated after a conference call with Donald Trump and other NATO-aligned leaders. “Russia must now take the first step,” he added, emphasizing the conditional nature of future support and sanctions.

Merz’s Kyiv Visit Coincides with Victory Day Ceasefire Proposal

The timing of the announcement is deliberate. Russia had already declared a symbolic three-day ceasefire around May 9th to mark its annual “Victory Day,” a commemoration of the Red Army’s defeat of Nazi Germany. The Western bloc countered with a proposal to extend the ceasefire to 30 days, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a diplomatic tool to build momentum toward formal negotiations.

In Kyiv, Merz made clear that Western unity is stronger than ever: “We will support Ukraine militarily and politically. We are not backing down. This war must end.” His remarks came after in-person meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a video conference that included countries as geographically distant as New Zealand and Iceland, demonstrating a rare breadth of coordination among democracies.

Security Guarantees and Sanctions in the Balance

Should Moscow reject the ceasefire proposal, Merz and his allies have warned of new, more severe sanctions already being drafted by the European Union. Moreover, Germany’s military support to Ukraine would increase, with previously withheld systems like the Taurus cruise missiles potentially on the table.

“Putin must recognize the futility of continuing this war,” Merz told German media during his Kyiv visit. “There will be consequences if this opportunity is rejected. We are prepared to act jointly and decisively.”

European leaders are also weighing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Although these remain dependent on Russia’s willingness to acknowledge Ukraine’s sovereignty, the push for Ukrainian EU membership is intensifying. Merz indicated that collective defense efforts could span decades.

A Coordinated Western Response – Including Trump

One of the more unexpected elements of this initiative is the apparent support from U.S. President Donald Trump. Following discussions with European heads of state, Merz confirmed that Trump has aligned with the ceasefire initiative and signaled readiness to maintain pressure on Moscow.

Despite past tensions between Berlin and Washington, Merz aims to stabilize transatlantic trade as well. In his first post-election call with Trump, the chancellor attempted to dissuade the U.S. from imposing tariffs and to reiterate the advantages of free trade—a signal that economic diplomacy is being prioritized alongside military and humanitarian efforts.

Marking 80 Years Since Nazi Defeat: Echoes of History

The Kyiv summit was held on a date of immense symbolic weight in Europe. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Nazi regime’s defeat—a memory that colored the tone of commemorative events in Germany. At the Bundestag, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that Europe must not allow current geopolitical aggressions to distort historical memory.

With no Russian or Belarusian diplomats present, the commemoration focused sharply on lessons from history and commitments to peace. “We must become stronger militarily—not to wage war, but to prevent it,” Steinmeier declared, adding that diplomacy must be backed by credible power, not left in the hands of actors with purely self-serving ambitions.

His words were pointed. Without naming Trump directly, Steinmeier referenced a “double rupture in history—the war in Ukraine and the values crisis in America.” He also sharply rebuked Putin for attempting to equate his war in Ukraine with the historic fight against fascism. “This is not a continuation of that struggle,” the president said. “It is a grotesque distortion.”

Germany’s Renewed Democratic Mission

Steinmeier also used the anniversary to issue a broader democratic appeal. “Democracy is never finished. It demands effort, engagement, and renewal. But there is no better system.” He called on all political forces in Germany to reject extremism and reinforce social cohesion.

In a deeply reflective moment, Steinmeier spoke of “hope against all odds,” asserting that freedom and democracy must not be expected from others but actively defended from within. “We are all children of May 8,” he said, urging the nation to continue learning from its past to shape a more stable future.

Russia Faces Heightened International Isolation

The exclusion of Russian diplomats from the day’s ceremonies, combined with sharp public statements from both Merz and Steinmeier, underscores the widening rift between Moscow and the international community. The message is clear: the Kremlin’s revisionist narratives and continued aggression are not being tolerated.

And yet, Merz’s proposal retains a diplomatic door—if Moscow accepts the 30-day ceasefire and signals genuine readiness to engage. “This is not just a symbolic move,” Merz emphasized. “It is a coordinated opportunity. And we believe it has a chance, however small, to lead us forward.”

A Fragile Opportunity in a War-Weary World

Despite cautious language, the underlying urgency of the initiative is unmistakable. Diplomats are moving quickly. Sanctions are being prepared. Military shipments are queued. And public sentiment across the EU shows fatigue with prolonged warfare, paired with fear of escalation.

Whether the ceasefire materializes may ultimately depend on one man in Moscow. But in Berlin and Kyiv, the message is unified: this war will not be won by force—and it will not be allowed to drag on unchallenged.