A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was due to expire with both sides accusing each other of breaching the agreement. American and European officials considered how to steer the countries into further talks. The ceasefire was meant to last 72 hours.

Ukrainian authorities said Russian drones and bombs struck civilian areas, killing at least two people and wounding seven others.

Russia's Defence Ministry said the military has observed the ceasefire and accused Ukraine of violating the agreement.

Similar ceasefires have failed to stop the fighting. U.S.-led diplomatic efforts have come to nothing. The fighting has been going on for more than four years.

The Institute for the Study of War said military activities decreased but did not stop after the ceasefire was announced. The ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. It was meant to last from Saturday to Monday.

The move was meant to mark Victory Day, the Russian celebration of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a 3-day ceasefire, Trump announced.

The institute said ceasefires without enforcement mechanisms are unlikely to hold. They need credible monitoring and dispute resolution processes.

Trump said there would be an exchange of prisoners. He said the break in fighting could be the beginning of the end of the war. Zelenskyy said the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side is being prepared.

There are no signs that the two sides are ready to budge from their key negotiating positions.

Putin wants all of the Donbas region, but Zelenskyy says he won't surrender it. Zelenskyy has offered a ceasefire and a face-to-face meeting with Putin.

Putin suggested that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could act as a mediator. But German and European officials rejected this possibility.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Europe needs to engage directly with Moscow.

Putin attends Victory Day parade amid temporary Russia-Ukraine ceasefire.

Stubb said it's time to start talking to Russia.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc must get its objectives straight before negotiating with the Kremlin.

Kallas said the EU should discuss what it wants to talk to Russia about before negotiating.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joined EU foreign ministers for a meeting. Sybiha said Europe could play a role in peace talks.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has nearly daily communication with Trump administration representatives. Rustem Umerov met with Trump envoys in the United States.

Zelenskyy said America remains engaged in diplomacy.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine continues its nearly daily communication with U.S. representatives. Rustem Umerov briefed him on his meetings with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Sybiha noted that Ukraine has improved its performance on the battlefield. It has reduced the bigger Russian army to a slow and costly slog.

Sybiha said Ukraine became stronger after the most difficult winter.

Cutting-edge drone technology has been one of the main drivers of success for Ukraine's army. It has drawn other countries' attention.

Zelenskyy said nearly 20 countries are at various stages of entering deals with Ukraine for battle-tested drones.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visited Kyiv to focus on furthering defence co-operation between the two countries.

Germany has become the world's top provider of security assistance to Ukraine. It accounts for roughly one-third of all aid the country receives.

Germany has helped provide an unprecedented package of air defence missiles for Ukraine. It has begun financing the production of medium- and long-range strike drones.

Drones made in Ukraine are in high demand across the Middle East.