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.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
Neutral Austria does not want to train Ukrainian troops on the Leopard 2 main battle tank, the country's Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner told Ö1 radio station, as cited by Kurier.
It was a "sovereign decision of each state to support Ukraine within the framework of its laws," said Tanner.
Meanwhile, German Armed Forces have already started such training, Tagesschau reported on Feb. 13, citing the German defense ministry's spokeswoman.
Austria has a single tank battalion consisting of 48 Leopard 2 main battle tanks based in Wels. Despite the Austrian neutrality, foreign soldiers are being trained on these tanks, particularly troops from NATO member states Hungary and the Czech Republic, according to Ö1.
On Jan. 30, Tanner and her Hungarian counterpart Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said their countries had agreed not to send military assistance to Ukraine.
Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Jan. 25 that his country would send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine after months of delay and allow other countries to send their own stocks.
Poland promised to provide the 2A4 models. Canada is also providing four Leopard 2s. Other European countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway, have talked about sending theirs but have yet to make a definitive commitment.
