Russia is considering a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine as G7 foreign ministers gather in Charlevoix, Quebec, for high-level discussions on global security, with the war in Ukraine dominating the agenda.
The ceasefire proposal, which US officials reportedly presented directly to Moscow, comes amid increasing diplomatic pressure to end the prolonged conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the plan had been put forward to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday night, stating: “The ball is truly in their court.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was still awaiting “detailed information” on the proposal and did not indicate whether Moscow would be open to accepting the terms. However, Western officials remain sceptical about the Kremlin’s willingness to commit to a meaningful pause in hostilities.
G7 focus on Ukraine
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed that Kyiv must remain in a strong position ahead of any negotiations. Speaking ahead of the G7 meeting, he warned that failure to secure lasting peace in Ukraine would have serious global repercussions.
“If we do not achieve lasting peace in Ukraine, the instability and insecurity that has hit the living standards of working people in Britain will only get worse, and Putin’s appetite for conflict and chaos will only grow,” Mr Lammy said.
His remarks come as European leaders discuss potential post-ceasefire security measures, including an international peacekeeping force. Defence chiefs from France, Germany, Italy, and Poland met in Paris earlier this week to explore options for deploying such a force should a ceasefire take hold. UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the discussions were “accelerating,” while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to host a summit of key European allies this weekend.
US stance on the war
Despite the push for a ceasefire, tensions remain within the G7 over how to approach Russia. The Trump administration’s stance on Ukraine has raised concerns among European allies, particularly as Washington has opposed recent UN resolutions condemning Russian aggression.
Earlier this week, Mr Rubio insisted that the US would not support any joint G7 statement that “isn’t consistent with our position to bring both sides to the table.” This has led to concerns that the US could soften its approach towards Moscow, a move that may cause friction with European allies pushing for stronger condemnation of the Kremlin’s actions.
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Adding to diplomatic tensions, former US President Donald Trump’s past remarks about absorbing Canada as the “51st state” have resurfaced ahead of the summit. While Mr Rubio dismissed this as a “non-issue” for the G7 talks, Canadian officials have privately voiced frustration at the repeated rhetoric from the Trump administration.
Next steps for diplomacy
The outcome of the G7 meeting will be crucial in determining the next phase of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. While European nations push for continued support for Kyiv, Washington’s position on engaging with Moscow remains unclear.
The US-led ceasefire proposal may be a starting point for talks, but Western officials have warned that any pause in fighting must not be used by Russia as an opportunity to regroup its forces.
For now, all eyes remain on the Kremlin’s response, with the international community watching closely to see whether Moscow is genuinely willing to take the first step towards peace or simply buying time.
