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.
Ukrainian soldiers adjust a national flag atop a personnel armored carrier on a road near Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, on Oct. 4, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov / AFP) (Photo by ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Fierce battles are underway on the eastern front as Russian forces attempt to stop Ukraine's advance towards Bakhmut, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Aug. 1.
The Russian military continues to concentrate its personnel and equipment in the Kupiansk, Lyman, and Svatove directions, she said.
Russia is launching assaults to pull Ukrainian troops away from Bakhmut and stop the Ukrainian advance. However, the attempts are unsuccessful, Maliar added.
Russia has been concentrating forces in the area since mid-July. Kupiansk was liberated in Ukraine's surprise counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in September 2022. Lyman, in Donetsk Oblast, was liberated just weeks later, but Svatove remains under Russian occupation.
According to Maliar, in the Bakhmut direction Ukrainian troops "are dealing with heavy artillery fire, mining, and strong enemy resistance," and there is an increase in incoming shelling "in all eastern directions."
On July 29, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Ukrainian forces were continuing counteroffensive operations on the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut.
The Ukrainian military reported gains on July 25 after Russian forces retreated from the village of Andriivka, located south of Bakhmut.
Asami Terajima
