European leaders are supporting a 30-day ceasefire proposal ahead the high stakes call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Monday. On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK PM Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni called Trump to demonstrate solidarity. They urged Putin to sign the agreement, already supported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
But Vladimir Putin is not conceding. He initiated the biggest drone assault in Ukraine in months and is going to fire a long-range missile mere hours ahead of the Trump call.
European Leaders Support Ceasefire
French president Emmanuel Macron told X that Vladimir Putin would have to “demonstrate he wants peace” by agreeing to Trump’s offer. UK PM Keir Starmer said leaders did indeed discuss the ceasefire. He threatened sanctions still remain on the table if Putin does not comply. German and Italian officials made the same suggestion behind closed doors, diplomats said.
I spoke tonight with @POTUS, @Keir_Starmer, @Bundeskanzler and @GiorgiaMeloni after our talks in Kyiv and Tirana.
Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 18, 2025
Donald Trump will call Russian President Vladimir Putin at 10 AM ET on Monday, he said. Then he will call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of NATO—France, the UK, Germany, and Italy. Trump has offered three ceasefire proposals so far. Zelenskyy accepted all three. Putin refused all three.
Zelenskyy Meets Vance and Rubio in Rome
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday at Pope Leo’s inauguration. It was the first time they met since Vance yelled at Zelenskyy during a confrontational White House visit in February.
This time around, the atmosphere was different. Zelenskyy declared the meeting “good” and stated that Ukraine is still prepared for genuine diplomacy. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that they talked about the front line, sanctions, and the Trump-Putin call.
Putin Strikes Back Using Drones and Missile Plans
Vladimir Putin struck back with a vengeance. Saturday evening, Russia sent 273 drones against Kyiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk. Ukraine’s air force described it as the largest attack in months.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency also announced that Russia will test-fire an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile on Monday. The missile has a non-nuclear warhead but makes a strong statement. The timing seeks to counter Trump’s peace initiatives.
Last week’s negotiations in Turkey were a bust. Russia sent a junior team and shunned serious talks. There was no breakthrough. Pressure is mounting now. NATO leaders, Ukraine, and the US are all on the same page. The world waits to see whether Putin gives or goes back on the offensive.
