Leaders of 30 countries demand that Russia immediately end the war in Ukraine
In a decisive diplomatic move coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the conflict, the heads of state and leaders of more than 30 countries, forming what is known as the "Coalition of the Willing," called on Russia to immediately agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. This unified stance emerged during a high-level videoconference held on Tuesday, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aimed at building international pressure to end the ongoing military operations.
A call for meaningful peace negotiations
The participating countries, led by Britain, France, and Germany, issued a joint statement from Berlin, the German capital, explicitly calling on Moscow to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. The leaders stressed the necessity of a complete and unconditional ceasefire as a crucial first step to ending the humanitarian suffering and halting the bloodshed that has persisted for four years. This move comes as Western powers seek to reunite and reaffirm their commitment to supporting Kyiv in the face of what they described as existential challenges.
Human losses and meager gains
In assessing the situation on the ground, the leaders' final statement highlighted the heavy toll incurred by Russian forces. They explained that Moscow had suffered significant losses for very limited territorial gains on the battlefield, citing statistics indicating nearly half a million Russian casualties in the past year alone. These figures are used as evidence of the futility of continuing the military option and the necessity of pursuing diplomatic solutions.
Condemnation of targeting infrastructure
The statement was not limited to military and political aspects; it also included a strongly worded condemnation of what the leaders described as Russia's "horrific and ongoing offensive" against Ukrainian cities. The participants focused particularly on the targeting of civilian infrastructure and power grids, warning of the dire humanitarian consequences of these attacks, especially with the onset of the harsh winter months, which exacerbate the suffering of Ukrainian civilians.
European commitment to defending sovereignty
The virtual meeting included prominent figures such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. These leaders reaffirmed their "full and unwavering support" for Ukraine in its fight to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement concluded by emphasizing that supporting Ukraine is not only a defense of a sovereign state, but is fundamentally a "defense of Europe's freedom" and strategic security in the face of current geopolitical challenges.
