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.

The vice president said the rare earth minerals deal the U.S. signed with Ukraine this week was "good progress," but the war won't end "anytime soon."

US Vice President JD Vance said the war in Ukraine is “not going to end any time soon,” just hours after Washington and Kyiv signed a key minerals agreement that has peace in Ukraine among its goals.

KYIV, Ukraine — A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, wounded 47 people, local officials said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said drones hit 12 locations in the city late Friday. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and vehicles were damaged in the assault, according to Kharkiv regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov.

Some countries may want Ukraine and Russia to be left one-on-one after a ceasefire is reached. Such signals have already been observed, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists.

An approval by Trump of new sanctions, which would follow the Wednesday signing of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal that he heavily promoted as part of his peace effort, could signify a hardening of his stance towards the Kremlin.

US officials have developed options for President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Russia. This move is possible due to President Vladimir Putin’s unwillingness to end the war against Ukraine, Bloomberg informs.