A deal on mineral resources between the United States and Ukraine is likely to force US President Donald Trump to change his plans regarding Ukraine. It is unlikely that he would withdraw from negotiations on ending the war after the deal is signed,

The European union is preparing a "plan B" on how to keep economic sanctions against Russia should the Trump administration abandon Ukraine peace talks and seek rapprochement with Moscow, EU's high representative for foreign and security policy,

Russian forces have significantly increased the intensity of their combat activity in eastern Ukraine, Ukraine's top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Ukraine had not responded to many offers by Russia President Vladimir Putin to start direct peace negotiations.