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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
Germany is preparing to deliver seven Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine in addition to 30 already supplied and used by Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the country’s government reported.
The officials did not specify when the tanks would arrive in Ukraine. According to Der Spiegel, the tanks are being repaired by Munich-based arms manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and will be delivered in the spring.
Der Spiegel also wrote that the Gepard tanks intended for Ukraine had been initially destined for scrapping.
The delivery of more Gepard tanks may “take some pressure off” the debate on placing German Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine, according to Der Spiegel.
After the missile blast in the Polish village of Przewodow on Nov. 15, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said her country would provide Poland with the Patriot missile systems.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak asked Germany to send the launchers to western Ukraine instead. The German government rejected Poland’s offer, saying that it would have to be approved by NATO.
The German Defense Ministry spokesman, cited by Der Spiegel on Dec. 2, said that he wasn't aware of any negotiations with Ukraine about the supply of Patriot systems on Ukrainian territory.
It contradicts Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s claim that Ukraine started such talks with Germany, reported by Polsat News the day before.
German ministry spokesman added that Lambrecht’s offer to Poland never implied supplying the country’s military with Patriots but rather locating them there with German soldiers continuing to operate the systems.
