German chancellor: EU drafts ceasefire plan echoing Trump’s 30-day Ukraine truce

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that EU member states have drafted a ceasefire proposal that closely reflects US President Donald Trump’s recent call for a 30-day truce in Ukraine.

Speaking at a joint press conference with European Council President António Costa, Merz confirmed that the draft communiqué largely aligns with the American initiative aimed at de-escalating the conflict, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“There is a draft communiqué. It largely mirrors his [Trump’s] proposal for a 30-day ceasefire,” Merz told reporters.

The chancellor said the proposal was designed to create space for renewed diplomatic efforts. 

“I hope all sides will see this as an opportunity to use the ceasefire as a path toward peace negotiations,” he added.

Merz also revealed that, following recent discussions with President Trump, he expects the United States to apply further diplomatic pressure on Moscow. 

“After this weekend, we will enter a phase in which serious negotiations can take place,” he said, expressing cautious optimism about a potential turning point in efforts to resolve the conflict. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had held a recent conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed “specific steps that could be taken” to achieve peace. 

Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv’s position that negotiations with Russia can only begin after a full ceasefire is in place. Moscow, meanwhile, has repeatedly stated its willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War. However, within hours, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported nearly 500 violations of the truce by Ukrainian forces.

By Naila Huseynova