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.
Interior of the United Nations General Assembly building in New York (Wikimedia Commons)
The Associated Press has obtained a Ukrainian-backed draft resolution proposed for adoption by the 193-member United Nations General Assembly “on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion” of Ukraine. The document was circulated to all UN member nations except Russia and Belarus on Feb. 9, AP reported citing unnamed sources.
According to the AP, the draft resolution is “broader and less detailed” than President Volodymyr Zelensky’s ten-point peace plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, presented during his speech to G20 leaders on Nov. 15.
“This was a deliberate decision by Ukraine and its backers to try to gain maximum support when it is put to the vote,” AP reported citing anonymous UN diplomats.
The document underscores the need to reach “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine “as soon as possible” and calls on UN member states and international organizations “to redouble support for diplomatic efforts” to achieve peace in Ukraine.
It also demands Russia to “immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces” from Ukraine’s “internationally recognized borders,” according to the media.
Also, the draft resolution calls for the “complete exchange” of all prisoners of war, along with the release of people “unlawfully detained” and the return of “all internees and of civilians forcibly transferred and deported, including children."
The emergency session of the General Assembly on Ukraine will commence on the afternoon of Feb. 22, AP reported, citing General Assembly spokesperson Paulina Kubiak. According to AP, dozens of speeches are expected to continue through most of Feb. 23, and the vote is expected late that day.
Earlier in January, First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova said Zelensky wanted to visit the UN headquarters in New York to address the General Assembly on the eve of Feb. 24.
His trip, however, will depend on the security situation in Ukraine, as intelligence services have repeatedly warned Russia was planning a new offensive in early 2023.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
