French President Emmanuel Macron called today for "direct talks" between Ukraine and Russia as part of a 30-day ceasefire demanded from Moscow by the Europeans, Americans and Ukraine.
In the event of a 30-day ceasefire, "we start direct talks between Ukraine and Russia," the French president told French media, on the train to Kiev.
"We are ready to help," Macron added.
He warned that there would be additional, "much harsher" sanctions if Moscow did not accept a ceasefire.
Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kiev this morning to express support for Ukraine with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The three leaders stepped off the train together as they left Poland for Ukraine and then joined President Volodymyr Zelensky and Tusk.
The visit is a symbolic response to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, held on Friday in Moscow's Red Square, with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and about two dozen foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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