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.
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.
A visit of the French defense delegation to Kyiv on Nov. 30, 2023. (Defense Ministry/Telegram)
France has pledged to boost ammunition supplies to Ukraine to meet Kyiv's defense needs next year, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced on Nov. 30 following a visit of a French delegation.
Ukraine's deputy defense ministers Dmytro Klimenkov and Lieutenant-General Ivan Havryliuk met the French delegation led by Engineer General Jean-Francois Dock in Kyiv to discuss defense cooperation between the two countries.
Dock said that Paris is taking all steps possible to support Ukraine. The French support fund is trying to partially cover Ukraine's purchases of arms and spare parts, Dock noted, adding that France would increase the ammunition supplies next year.
The parties also discussed strengthening cooperation in military logistics.
"This week, we have already received the funds and will make a payment for the additional purchase of the Caesar self-propelled guns," Havryliuk said.
"Our thanks to the French side for the continuous supply of ammunition for these systems," he said.
France has transferred a total of 30 advanced Caesar self-propelled howitzers of the 6x6 version to Ukraine. Denmark provided an additional 19 units of the 8x8 model.
The announcement of additional munitions comes amid calls for Kyiv's allies to ramp up weapons production for Ukraine.
Russia has already boosted its defense budget for the next year to record heights, signaling a difficult year on Ukraine's battlefields.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
Martin Fornusek
