George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed their countries' relationship on May 8, vowing to increase cooperation in all areas, including military ties.
"There is Turkey, which maintains channels of communication. And then, above all, there is the People's Republic of China, which, more than anyone else, has the means to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin come to the negotiating table and soften his demands," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.
The United States will be ready to "walk away" from the negotiating table if it does not see Russia making progress in negotiation to end the war, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on May 8.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate Victory Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
US President Donald Trump on May 8 called for a "30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope for "an acceptable ceasefire," with both countries "held accountable for respecting the sanctity of... direct negotiations."
President Volodymyr Zelensky had a "constructive" phone call with United States President Donald Trump on May 8, discussing the war, continued pressure on Russia, and a potential ceasefire.
The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
The aftermath of Russian airstrikes on Zaporizhzhia Oblast on April 8, 2023. (Zaporizhzhia Oblast Prosecutor's Office)
Russian airstrikes on the front-line towns of Orikhiv and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on April 8 injured two civilians, according to the regional prosecutor's office.
The bombs struck private residences and outbuildings, knocking out windows and wounding two men aged 56 and 67.
The Ukrainian Air Force warned earlier that Russian airstrikes were becoming more frequent and require modern fighter aircraft such as F-16s to defend against.
Orikhiv and Huliaipole are close to the front line in Zaporizhzhia and have been gradually devastated by shelling and airstrikes, with a vanishing fraction of their previous populations still holding out in homes and basements.
The front line in the region has been largely static despite exchanges of fire.
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The Kyiv Independent news desk
