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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.
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Friday, May 9
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
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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.
(Updated: )Victory Day
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
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Blinken: Successful Ukrainian counteroffensive could force Putin to negotiate an end to the war
• 2 min read
A successful Ukrainian counteroffensive could force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate with Kyiv for an end to Russia's war on Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Washington on June 12.
Blinken noted that the counteroffensive, which began on June 8, is still in its early days, and that it is "much too soon" to determine the full outcome. Blinken also underlined the widespread international support for Ukraine's counteroffensive and said that he is confident Ukraine will be successful in regaining its territory.
"It’s very important to note that, in terms of what President Putin was trying to achieve in Ukraine, it’s already been a strategic failure, because the objective that Putin had – that he stated himself – was to erase Ukraine from the map, to eliminate its independence, and to absorb Ukraine, in one fashion or another, into Russia. That has failed and it cannot succeed," Blinken said.
Both officials shared hopes that the counteroffensive would bring about peace and ultimately push Russia out of Ukraine in a way that will guarantee long-term stability in Ukraine.
Ukraine's success in a counteroffensive would "strengthen its position at any negotiating table that emerges, and it may have the effect as well of actually causing Putin to finally focus on negotiating an end to the war that he started," Blinken said.
The U.S. and its allies have been supporting Ukraine's counteroffensive preparations throughout the spring, and have pledged to support Ukraine for as long is necessary.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine liberates 2 more villages; Zelensky says ‘rain makes task harder’
Key developments on June 12: * Ukrainian military confirms liberation of Storozheve, Novodarivka * Russia preparing evacuations, sabotage in Crimea * 10 dead, 42 missing due to Kakhovka Dam disaster * Russian attacks kill 5, injure 21 over June 11-12 Ukraine’s military confirmed another two vi…
Martin Fornusek
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