European allies of Ukraine are watching nervously as Vladimir Putin parades in Moscow with Xi Jinping, wary of anything that could disrupt the quest for peace. President Trump's patience with his "peace deal" is wearing thin, and there were fears Ukraine could be punished for it. The Trump proposal, pushed by Steve Witkoff, doesn't agree to Russian annexation or complete demilitarization of Ukraine but is otherwise favorable to Moscow. While Ukraine agreed to a longer ceasefire, Putin has not.

Ukraine's allies feared Trump would blame Ukraine and withdraw US military support. A minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine gave Trump something to show for his efforts, and he approved the first $50m of arms sales to Ukraine. Putin's self-declared three-day ceasefire raises the possibility of escalation if broken. Kyiv sees the Russian lull as a ploy, citing Russia's broken truce in Easter. If Russia repeats these games and Ukraine retaliates, or if there's a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow during Victory Day, there could be a significant escalation.

Any major flare-up will not be looked on favourably by the US president if it upstages his first trip abroad this presidency, a three-day tour of the Middle East. For now, his attention is not so much on the Ukraine conflict and he is no longer issuing threats to walk away and stop supporting the Ukrainians. Read more from Sky News: Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of breaching ceasefire Putin prepares to host dozens of world leaders for Victory Day parade That will be a relief here in the Ukrainian capital. They would be unwise to do anything to reengage him, for now at least. Their European allies, though, know American involvement in this war appears to be receding. Can they fill the vacuum? This week, they remember the sacrifices made to bring peace and security to their continent 80 years ago. Can they find the political will and unity to do so again, even without America? Astonishingly, given all we have been through, that is still an open question.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce new sanctions on Russia. Germany's new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is visiting Lviv for talks on continued support for Ukraine. The UK is expected to announce sanctions against up to 100 oil tankers that defied sanctions on Russia. Russia commemorated 80 years since the end of the Second World War with a parade. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with EU and NATO officials.

Ukraine's army said that Russia had carried out multiple attacks on Ukrainian front line positions in the past 24 hours despite the country declaring a three-day ceasefire. Newly-appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Lviv on Thursday, making his first visit to Ukraine since taking office. Wadephul said Germany will continue to be among Ukraine's strongest supporters. Russia hosted its annual World War II Victory Parade in Moscow, with more than 20 foreign dignitaries expected to attend. Ukraine labeled the celebrations in Russia a "parade of cynicism" and said the safety of the world leaders attending cannot be guaranteed.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will arrive in Brussels for his second foreign trip since taking office earlier this week. Merz will hold talks with EU and NATO officials with talks expected to focus on the war in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a series of new sanctions on Russia, targeting the country's so-called "shadow fleet," up to 100 vessels which have been carrying cargo in defiance of the sanctions. Starmer's office said the sanctions will target vessels that have carried carried cargo worth more than $24 billion (€21.3 billion) since the beginning of last year. Starmer said Russia's threat to the UK's national security "cannot be underestimated," and that his country will do "everything in our power to destroy" the shadow fleet's operation.