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.
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.
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.
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.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen (L) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba (R) shake hands during official meeting on Jan. 26, 2024, in Mykolaiv. Rasmussen took part in the opening of the office of the Danish Embassy in Mykolaiv. (Eduard Kryzhanivskyi/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Denmark has opened an embassy office in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen reported on Jan. 26.
The opening of the office took place during Rasmussen’s visit to Mykolaiv. He was joined by his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
"In addition to the embassy in Kyiv, we are now also permanently present in Mykolaiv, for which Denmark has taken a special responsibility in reconstruction," the minister wrote on his Instagram.
As part of reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, Denmark has taken on the responsibility for the restoration of Mykolaiv, which has suffered from numerous Russian attacks since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Part of Mykolaiv Oblast was occupied by Russia in the early stage of the all-out war.
Denmark and Mykolaiv signed a memorandum on reconstruction in March 2023, Mykolaiv Oblast Council head Hanna Zamazieieva reported.
"The opening of the Danish embassy's office in Ukraine is, without exaggeration, a historic event," Kuleba said.
"It is not only Denmark's focus on assisting Mykolaiv but also an example for all other countries that want to support Ukraine on a systemic basis."
During the press conference, Rasmussen also discussed with Kuleba the organization of a Danish-Ukrainian forum on defense industries.
"We will make a special focus on the development of joint projects in drone production," Kuleba said.
According to the Danish Forreign Ministry, Copenhagen has allocated 4.3 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine and nearly 408 million euros in humanitarian and other assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Tania Myronyshena is an intern at the Kyiv Independent. She has previously written articles about culture and history for media outlets such as Ukrainer, Mediamaker, and Wonderzine. She has a bachelor's degree in publishing and editing from Borys Hrinchenko Kyiv University.
Dominic Culverwell
