Historical visit Saturday in Kyiv of Macron, Merz, Starmer and Tusk – Liberation

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Polish Donald Tusk will be in Kyiv this Saturday to reaffirm, alongside the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky their « Solidarity with Ukraine against the barbaric and illegal invasion of Russia »The four heads of state and government announced on Friday evening in a joint statement.

The visit of a day will allow the four nations to recall their support « Flawless » to Ukraine and to claim, in the wake of the United States, a « Complete and unconditional ceasefire of 30 days » to Russia. This is the first time that the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland have been traveling together in Ukraine. And in the aftermath of a show of force from the Russian president Vladimir Putin who received around twenty foreign leaders, including the Chinese Xi Jinping, in the Red Square in Moscow.

“We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. We will intensify our pressure on the Russian war machine until Russia accepts a lasting ceasefire ”they warned in their joint declaration.

In Kyiv, the quartet must hold, alongside the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, a virtual meeting with the other leaders of the « Coalition of volunteers »these essentially European Western countries, ready to bring « Safety guarantees » in Ukraine.

They will thus inform the other countries of « Progress made for a future coalition bringing together air forces, terrestrial and sea to help regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces after a possible peace agreement and to strengthen confidence in future peace »according to their declaration.

The French president and the British Prime Minister provide the management of this still blurred contours that has already met in Paris and London in recent months.

Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz embarked on the same train in Poland near the border with Ukraine and found themselves in relaxed outfit in a wagon for a three exchange, AFP journalists evening noted on Friday.

After claiming to be ready to respect a 30-day ceasefire, Ukraine projects itself and seeks the formula of lasting peace. Its President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday the day on Saturday May 10 in Kyiv of a meeting of the leaders of the « Coalition of volunteers »without specifying who would be present in the Ukrainian capital. Created at the beginning of March, the latter brings together around thirty countries – mainly European – Around two missions: provide military support to Ukraine and avoid, once a possible peace agreement has been concluded, a new Russian invasion.

« In Ukraine, we are also preparing to meet the leaders of the volunteer coalition »announced the Ukrainian president during a speech by videoconference on the occasion of the meeting of the ten countries of the Jef (Joint Expeditionary Force) in Oslo. For the head of state in war for more than three years against Moscow, no doubt: his country has « Need this coalition » Who « Should be strong enough to guarantee security in accordance with our common vision ».

Under the leadership of France and the United Kingdom, the body emerged at the time of Donald Trump approached Russia, Europeans wishing to strengthen their support for Ukraine fear of seeing the United States giving them off. However, several countries of the coalition still condition their participation in the establishment of an American security net. Ukraine therefore expects its allies that they define clear security guarantees to protect themselves against any future Russian military action.

As presented in March at the London summit for Ukraine, the initiative could decline its strategy in several points. To begin with, its member countries would undertake to maintain their military aid in Kyiv while preserving the economic sanctions exercised in Moscow. Then, they could insist that a possible peace agreement guarantees the sovereignty and security of the country. And be durable. Also, and above all, the nations of the coalition would be ready to strengthen the defensive military capacities of Ukraine, even once the battles are completed.

Who will participate in discussions on Saturday? When he had just signed A treaty with Poland Aiming to increase defense and energy cooperation, Emmanuel Macron quickly confirmed that France would be there. The French president also said that the exchanges would be partially made of visio and partly face -to -face.

For the rest, Volodymyr Zelensky did not give the guest list. Finland has spoke of its side a « A virtual meeting » Kyiv supports to which its president, Alexander Stubb will assist. For his part, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced his participation in a « Meeting between President Zelensky and the French and British leaders »without specifying whether it will be online or face -to -face. Earlier this week, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he wanted to visit his counterpart in the near future.

The announcement of this summit comes when Donald Trump renewed his call already formulated in March on Thursday to a « Unconditional ceasefire of 30 days » in Ukraine. An initiative welcomed this Friday by the countries of northern Europe. During a telephone call with the American president on Thursday, May 8, Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, estimated that the proposal was a « Real indicator » Progress towards peace with Russia, and that Kyiv was ready to implement it immediately.

All that remains is to know Vladimir Putin’s response. If the Russian president has not yet officially replied to his American counterpart, he recently declared the interruption of the fighting for three days. Bombings, drones and rifles were therefore to be silent on May 8, 9 and 10, on the occasion of the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. A short -lived silence. In the first twelve hours, Ukraine accused Russia of having led 734 attacks against him. And Moscow to retort that his neighbor would have sought him by hitting the first.