Russia will hold a two-day cease-fire in its war in Ukraine from May 8 to 9 to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe — as Kyiv announced its own cease-fire for two days earlier.

The reliable supply of abundant American oil was key to the Allied victory in World War II. The combination of vast oil reserves and a geographic advantage of separation from Asia and Europe insulated American infrastructure from Axis attacks and served as the foundation for a dominant wartime supply chain.