From left, Poland's PM Donald Tusk, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Britain's PM Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Olena Zelenska and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Saturday — AP 

Agencies Kyiv

The leaders of four European countries arrived in Kyiv Saturday in a joint show of support as calls intensify for Russia to agree to a monthlong ceasefire in the three-year war. The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, and met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly after to join a ceremony at Kyiv's Independence Square marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. 

They lit candles at a makeshift flag memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers and civilians slain since Russia's invasion. The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making his first visit to Ukraine as Germany's new chancellor.

Their visit came on the last day of a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by Moscow, to coincide with its own celebrations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Thursday called that truce a "farce," accusing Russian forces of violating it over 700 times less than a day after it formally came into effect. Both sides also said attacks on their troops had continued on Thursday.

Along with US President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict.  In March, the United States proposed an immediate 30-day truce in the war, which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for ceasefire terms more to its liking. 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," the leaders said in a joint statement. "Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace."

Meanwhile, Russia has kept up attacks along the roughly 1,600-kilometre front line, including deadly strikes on residential areas with no obvious military targets. On Saturday morning, local officials in Ukraine's northern Sumy region said Russian shelling over the past day killed three residents and wounded four more. Another civilian man died on the spot on Saturday as a Russian drone struck the southern city of Kherson, according to regional Gov Oleksandr Prokudin.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, French President Emmanuel Macron, said: "What's happening with Poland, Germany and Great Britain is a historic moment for European defence and toward a greater independence for our security. Obviously for Ukraine, but for all of us. It's a new era.