What’s emerged from the Washington-led effort to end the war in Ukraine suggests a deal that seems likely to be favorable to Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine this month, starting on May 8 to mark the end of World War II. This is the second time in the last two weeks that Putin has promised a temporary pause in fighting.

Ukraine's Air Force lost a Su-27 fighter jet during a Russian aerial attack on April 28. The aircraft was conducting a combat mission, supporting ground troops. The loss follows the earlier downing of the second F-16 fighter jet, which reportedly occurred in the Russia-bordering northeastern region of Sumy on April 16.

U.S. officials have finalized new economic sanctions against Russia, including banking and energy measures, to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end its war on Ukraine,

Ukraine and the U.S. signed a deal on Wednesday that will give the United States preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and fund investment in Ukraine's reconstruction. The agreement, heavily promoted by U.