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.
Russian forces attacked the city of Sumy on Oct. 18 with Shahed drones, striking an infrastructure facility, the Sumy Oblast military administration reported.
The administration said that emergency services were working at the site of the attack.
No casualties were reported. The announcement did not specify which type of infrastructure facility suffered damage in the attack.
Earlier in the day, Russian forces shelled five communities along the Sumy Oblast border. The settlements of Bilopillia, Khotin, Velyka Pysarivka, Krasnopillia, and Shalyhyne came under fire from artillery, tank shelling, mortar attacks, and mines.
The administration reported no casualties or infrastructure damage in those attacks.
Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia, has been targeted by Russian forces on a near-daily basis since April 2022.
Ukraine has also been anticipating increased Russian attacks against energy infrastructure ahead of the winter season. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced $522 million in U.S. aid for energy assistance on Oct. 16.
"We are on the brink of a challenging winter," he said.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
