(Updated: )Victory Day
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Friday, May 9
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.
(Updated: )
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
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CNN: US officials closely watching situation in Russia following Wagner chief's comments
• 1 min read
Check out our LIVE UPDATES on the Wagner Group’s armed rebellion in Russia.
The Biden administration is following the situation unfolding in Russia after Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin vowed to take revenge against Russia's military leadership over what he said was a missile strike against his troops in Ukraine, CNN reported.
“We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments,” National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement, according to CNN.
President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the situation, Hodge said.
A U.S. official told CNN that they see Prigozhin's latest diatribe against the Russian military leadership, which he called "evil" and vowed to send a "march for justice" to counter, "as something more than his usual rhetoric," as they do not follow a Ukrainian victory on the battlefield, CNN wrote.
“This is real,” the official told CNN, although it is not yet clear what Prigozhin's exact intentions are. Two other Biden administration official said that U.S. national security officials are waiting to gain a better sense of the situation before commenting.
Russian military leaders urge Wagner boss to stop his ‘march for justice’ as Moscow beefs up security
Russian military leaders appealed to the Wagner Group in the early hours of June 24 to stand down following a video statement in which Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin called the Russian military leadership “evil” and vowed a “march for justice.”
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