(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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Congresswoman Spartz once again calls out Zelensky's chief of staff, criticizes situation in Ukraine
• 1 min read
Ukrainian-born U.S. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz wrote another letter to U.S. President Joe Biden to express concerns surrounding President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak.
In a new letter, Spartz writes that the "lack of appointment of the anti-corruption prosecutor, concerns raised by our military personnel and defense contractors, as well as some NATO allies, raise national security concerns and require proper attention from (Biden's) administration."
In the July 26 letter, Spartz lists three main concerns - Yermk's alleged influence over the country's Defense Ministry by way of appointment of a deputy said to be close to the president's chief of staff, the centralization of power under the president's office watch and the lack of a desire to finalize the appointment of a Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor.
Read More: Selection panel declares winner set to lead Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office
Spartz writes that Yermak and his deputy Oleh Tatarov will likely sabotage the process of appointing the top anti-corruption prosecutor with the help of the new Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, who must officially appoint the top anti-corruption prosecutor.
She also mentioned the increased secrecy in president Zelensky's work, writing that "another example of abuse of power is the recent issuance of secret executive orders to revoke Ukrainian citizenships without proper due process."
Read More: Rumors of Zelensky stripping top oligarch Kolomoisky’s citizenship gain ground
This is the third letter published by Spartz, with the two previous accusations, published on July 8 and July 9, ranging from corruption and sabotage of reforms to allegedly serving Russian interests.
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