Western officials rallied behind Kyiv’s ceasefire proposal, urging Moscow to accept an immediate and unconditional halt to hostilities and show whether it is serious about peace.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Zelensky had “once again demonstrated” Ukraine’s readiness for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, calling on Russia to accept the proposal and begin the truce “already tonight.”
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Sweden “fully supports” Zelensky’s proposal starting at midnight and called on Russia to “show that it is serious about ending the war.”
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Ukraine was choosing peace “not for two days, not for a parade,” but as a genuine offer to stop the killing. He called Russia’s limited May 8-9 truce “a PR exercise,” adding “Now it’s Russia’s turn.”
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen also backed the ceasefire, urging Russia to respect it, stop the killing and use the opportunity to return to negotiations.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Zelensky’s announcement of an unconditional ceasefire reflected “a genuine commitment to peace,” calling on Russia to halt its attacks and take steps toward ending the war.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže accused Russia of launching missiles and drones at Ukraine while “pretending” to offer a ceasefire for a propaganda event, saying: “Actions, not words, matter.”
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Russia’s latest missile and drone attacks showed why Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire must be backed. He said any truce must not be tied to Russia’s parade calendar or used as a “manipulative pause.”
“A ceasefire cannot be dictated by the calendar of Russia’s war-glorifying parade – a spectacle built on aggression and propaganda.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Moscow wanted a pause for a “parade” while continuing attacks on Ukraine, arguing that Russia must now show it is serious about peace, not just symbolism for its “celebrations.”
Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg welcomed Ukraine’s ceasefire announcement and said reciprocal steps from Russia would be an important move toward peace.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons and PACE President Petra Bayr also endorsed Zelensky’s appeal, calling on Russia to seize the chance to halt the suffering and return to negotiations.
US lawmakers on Tuesday backed Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to demonstrate “good faith” by accepting and respecting it.
The Congressional Ukraine Caucus co-chairs – Marcy Kaptur, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley and Joe Wilson – said Democrats and Republicans in Congress remained united in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“The path to peace is open. The responsibility to take it rests with the Kremlin,” the statement said. “America stands with the people of Ukraine.”