Western allies are apparently lining up behind thrown their weight behind Donald Trump’s proposed ceasefire in Ukraine, using a joint visit to Kyiv to urge Russia to halt its war and open the door to peace talks. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Poland in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday, calling for a 30-day unconditional truce starting on Monday and voicing support for the former US President’s push to end the conflict.

Their visit followed what Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described as a “constructive” phone call between the four leaders, Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Sybiha said: “There is a lot of work, a lot of topics to discuss. We need to end this war with a just peace. We need to force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.”

The proposed ceasefire, initially floated by the United States in March, would cover all hostilities on land, sea and air, and include a halt to strikes on infrastructure.

Ukraine accepted the plan at the time, but Russia has continued to demand terms more favourable to its position and has yet to confirm whether it will take part.

Saturday’s visit to Kyiv marked the first joint trip to Ukraine by Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

After arriving by train, they joined Mr Zelensky at Kyiv’s Independence Square for a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, where they lit candles in memory of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians killed since the invasion began.

In a joint statement, the leaders said: “We reiterate our backing for President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace.

"Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.”

Sir Keir was later quoted as saying: “If Putin does not return to the path of peace, we will respond.” The Labour leader pledged closer cooperation with President Trump to ramp up aid, adding: "Together with President Trump, we will increase our assistance to the defence force.”

Lt Gen Keith Kellogg, Mr Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, added: “This comprehensive ceasefire will start the process for ending the largest and longest war in Europe since World War II.”

The visit came as Russia’s own self-declared three-day truce – announced unilaterally by the Kremlin earlier this week – expired. Ukraine dismissed the move as a propaganda stunt, accusing Russian forces of violating it more than 700 times within hours of it taking effect.

Clashes along the front lines were reported by both sides throughout Thursday and Friday.

Mr Sybiha said: “The Russian ceasefire was a farce. They kept firing the moment the cameras looked away.”

Meanwhile, the fighting has continued unabated across several regions. In the northern Sumy region, local officials said three civilians were killed and four others injured by Russian shelling over the past 24 hours.

In the south of the country, Kherson’s regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that a man was killed on Saturday by a drone strike.

Despite Ukraine’s acceptance of the US plan, Russia has not responded positively. Mr Trump has previously questioned whether President Vladimir Putin genuinely wants to end the war.

He said last week that he was sceptical a peace deal could be reached in the short term, and hinted that further sanctions may be imposed if Russia fails to engage.

Progress has been limited since Mr Trump returned to the White House, and past predictions of quick breakthroughs have failed to materialise. He has also floated the idea of Ukraine ceding territory as part of a deal – an option flatly rejected by Mr Zelensky and his European partners.

Ukrainian allies have made clear that bringing the war to an end is vital to European security, and that preparations are under way for a post-conflict security architecture with or without Russia’s immediate cooperation.

Mr Yermak said discussions were ongoing about a future “coalition of the willing” that could deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine and help enforce any deal.

He said: “We need to show Moscow we’re serious. The time for games is over. This is about peace, not politics.”

Later on Saturday, the visiting leaders held a virtual summit with Mr Zelensky and other international partners to discuss the next steps toward securing a just settlement and laying the groundwork for a potential post-war presence in Ukraine to help keep the peace.