The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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."
Foreign Ministry criticizes Orbán's claim Ukraine is financially 'non-existent' country
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko has criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's comment that Ukraine was a financially "non-existent" country, calling the remark "cynical" given the amount of aid Hungary also receives from the EU.
"We call on Orbán to face the truth: supporting Ukraine is not charity. By supporting Ukraine, Europe is primarily investing in its own security," Nikolenko said on April 14.
During a radio interview on April 14, Orbán referred to Ukraine as a financially "non-existent" country due to its reliance on aid from other countries to support itself during wartime, Magyar Nemzet reported.
"Ukraine is a non-existent country in the financial sense. The question is whether we sustain Ukraine or not. As soon as we say no, the war will end," Orbán said.
According to Magyar Nemzet, Orbán also took the opportunity to once again speak about the so-called discrimination of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine's Zakarpattia Oblast.
However, local Ukrainian officials rebuked Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Maygar's concerns about minority rights in early April during a visit, adding that Hungarian and Romanian communities in Zakarpattia have the full support of the local government.
Hungary has been under fierce criticism from fellow European Union member states for its continued ties to Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It was reported on April 13 that Hungary would cease cooperation with the Russia-owned International Investment Bank following sanctions imposed on the financial institution by the U.S. Treasury.
According to the U.S. Treasury's statement, International Investment Bank's continued presence in Hungary "enables Russia to increase its intelligence presence in Europe, opens the door for the Kremlin’s malign influence activities in Central Europe and the Western Balkans, and could serve as a mechanism for corruption and illicit finance, including sanctions violations."
However, the news about IIB came after Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjárto visited Moscow on April 11 to sign a new energy agreement ensuring Hungary's continued access to Russian energy sources.

Most Popular

After Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv, Vance reposts denunciation of Zelensky

Ukraine, Europe's ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports

After 3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe announces plan to ban all Russian gas imports

Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'

Journalist Roshchyna's body missing organs after Russian captivity, investigation says
Editors' Picks

How medics of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade deal with horrors of drone warfare

As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home

'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive
