Taking a Stand on Ukraine's Ceasefire
Northern European nations, including Britain, advocate for an immediate, unconditional halt to hostilities in Ukraine.
Let's get real about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Here's the lowdown on who's saying what and what could potentially happen next.
The Power Players
- Norway, UK, and Nordic Nations: These peeps are backing a 30-day ceasefire without preconditions, joining forces with the US to bring lasting peace to Ukraine. Their prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, made his stance clear in a press conference on May 9, 2025. [1][2]
- Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF): Although JEF hasn't made an official statement, this military alliance (consisting of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, and Sweden) is known for supporting Ukraine and is likely focused on collaborating with the US on potential sanctions.
- France: French President Emmanuel Macron supports the 30-day ceasefire, as does the UK and the Nordic group. [1][2]
- United States: You guessed it—the US is championing the 30-day ceasefire proposal. [1][2]
The Big Picture
These nations have been part of various coalitions, supporting Ukraine for quite a while, and recent events have pushed them towards long-term strategies. Institutions like NATO and the EU are playing a significant role in this. For example, the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) was established to provide continuous support. [4]
But it's not just about short-term measures like the ceasefire—it's about addressing the root causes of the conflict in a comprehensive, political-diplomatic manner. [4]
The Sanctions Question
Even though the sources don't detail new sanctions, the ongoing support for Ukraine and previous trends suggest that these nations remain ready to impose more sanctions if Russia refuses to engage in genuine de-escalation or breaches any potential ceasefire agreements. [4]
Breaking it Down
| Country/Group | Ceasefire Stance (May 2025) | Long-term Approach | Sanctions Position ||--------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------|| Norway, Nordic | Support US 30-day ceasefire proposal | Anchored in EU/NATO coalitions | Likely to maintain sanctions || UK | Support US 30-day ceasefire proposal | Anchored in EU/NATO coalitions | Likely to maintain sanctions || France | Support US 30-day ceasefire proposal | Anchored in EU/NATO coalitions | Likely to maintain sanctions || JEF (Nordic/Baltic focus) | Likely aligned with Nordic/EU consensus | Collaborating through multinational security frameworks | Likely to maintain sanctions || US | Proposed unconditional 30-day ceasefire | Committed to security assistance to Ukraine | Likely to maintain sanctions |
The Bottom Line
- Ceasefire: The US has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, an idea supported by the UK, France, and key northern European nations, including Norway. [1][2]
- Long-term Strategy: The focus has shifted toward embedding short-term initiatives, like the ceasefire, within broader, long-term coalition-based strategies involving NATO and the EU. [4]
- Sanctions: While not explicitly mentioned in recent statements, sanctions remain a crucial part of the Western response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. [4]
- The Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, stands with the United States in advocating for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, as do the UK and French Presidents.
- The Joint Expeditionary Force, consisting of various European nations, is expected to collaborate with the US on potential sanctions due to their long-term support for Ukraine.
- The ceasefire proposal is part of a broader, long-term strategy, with a focus on coalition-based approaches, particularly through NATO and the EU.
- The Western nations, including Norway, the UK, France, and JEF, remain prepared to impose additional sanctions on Russia if needed, should Russia fail to engage in genuine de-escalation or breach any potential ceasefire agreements.
