By Blessing Nweke

US Vice-President JD Vance stated the war in Ukraine is unlikely to end soon, during an interview. He emphasized that the key challenge for the US administration is helping Russia and Ukraine find a way to end the conflict, which has lasted over three years. Vance stressed that ultimately, it will be up to both nations to agree.

This comes shortly after Washington signed a deal with Kyiv to share profits from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for future US security assistance. Vance also defended Trump’s approach to the war, questioning if continuing the fight for contested territories was worth the high loss of life.

Trump had suggested Ukraine might have to cede Crimea to reach a truce, a move Ukrainian President Zelensky has ruled out due to constitutional reasons. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that a breakthrough was urgently needed to prevent Trump from re-evaluating America’s role in the conflict.

Despite calls for ceasefires, fighting continues, with a Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia injuring 14 and a separate drone strike on a market in Russian-controlled southern Ukraine killing seven and injuring more than 20. Ukraine denied targeting civilians, stating the strike was aimed at military personnel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire starting May 8, coinciding with World War Two anniversary celebrations, but fighting continues in other areas.