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.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia intercepted 19 drones headed towards Moscow overnight on May 5-6, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on May 6.
This marks the second night in a row that drones reportedly targeted Russia's capital. The attacks come just days ahead of the city's Victory Day parade and Russia's proposed temporary ceasefire, set for May 7-9.
According to the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Shot, debris from one of the drones hit a residential building in the southern part of the city, with the shockwave shattering windows on the upper floors and in a nearby flower shop.
The Ukrainian government has not commented on the alleged drone attack. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify Russia's claims at the time of publication.
Air defense units intercepted 19 drones flying towards Moscow from different directions, Sobyanin claimed. No casualties have been reported.
The drone threat triggered temporary shutdowns at the region's Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo airports. In addition to all four Moscow airports, restrictions were also introduced at the Grabtsevo airport in Russia's Kaluga Oblast.
The reported attack comes the same week of Russia's May 9 Victory Day celebrations, which mark the Soviet Union's role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II. The Kremlin has invited foreign guests to attend Moscow's Victory Day parade, though many Western officials have declined.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also unilaterally declared a "humanitarian truce" from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11. President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the proposal as a "theatrical performance," accusing Putin of manipulating the international community by declaring brief ceasefires that it has no intention of following.
Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire on all hostilities for 30 days, but Russia continues to refuse.
While Zelensky and other world leaders remain skeptical of Putin's three-day truce, U.S. President Donald Trump on May 5 praised the gesture, saying that the brief ceasefire "doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot, if you know where we started from."
Zelensky. warned on May 3 that Russia could stage provocations, such as "arsons, explosions, or other actions," around the Victory Day holiday and attempt to blame Ukraine.
Chris York
