"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
The announcement follows mounting fears that the two nuclear-armed countries were on the brink of engaging in another full-scale war.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
The visit marks Merz’s first trip to Ukraine, and the first time all four leaders have travelled there together.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
"As in the past, it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace," the EU's statement reads.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
The number includes 1,310 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Board Guard: Ukraine builds up defenses along entire border with Russia, Belarus
Ukrainian forces are building up defensive capabilities along the entire border with Russia and Belarus, Ukraine's State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on April 8 on national television.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in March that Ukraine was building 2,000 kilometers of fortifications across three lines of defense after Ukrainian authorities received criticism for slow progress.
The Ukrainian government has already allocated Hr 20 billion ($512 million) for building fortifications in 2024, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in April.
"When talking about the state border with Belarus, there are no indications that Russia has any forces there to conduct an offensive against our territory," Demchenko said, adding that Belarus still supports Russian aggression and poses a threat.
Demchenko said that Ukrainian forces continue to strengthen defensive capabilities in the northern direction, as well as along the state border with Russia.
Ukraine's State Border Guard spokesperson also said that "there is no way of doing engineering fortification directly on the front line," but such operations are conducted "in the maximum proximity" to it.
Russian forces continue to attack with various munitions near the state border in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy oblasts, according to Demchenko. The activity of Russian sabotage groups remains high, especially in Sumy Oblast, he added.
In April, Zelensky visited Chernihiv Oblast bordering Russia and Belarus to meet with local officials and inspect the construction of fortifications.
Regional authorities told Zelensky that a strip of barriers and an extensive network of strongholds had been created along the entire border between Russia and Belarus.
Kateryna Hodunova
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