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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.
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Friday, May 9
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.
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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.
(Updated: )Victory Day
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
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Gay couple wins discrimination case against Ukraine at European Human Rights Court
• 2 min read
A Ukrainian gay couple has won a discrimination case against Ukraine at the European Court of Human Rights, the court announced on June 1.
The judges concluded that the Ukrainian government had violated the right of Andrii Maimulakhin and Andrii Markiv to legalize their relationship.
The couple, represented by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union and Nash Svit, an LGBT rights watchdog, applied to the European court in 2014 due to being unable to legalize their relationship in Ukraine.
The court said that the plaintiffs were discriminated against due to their sexual orientation and awarded them 5,000 euros ($5,380) in compensation.
"Unlike heterosexual couples who prefer not to marry for personal reasons, but still have the right to legal recognition and protection..., the applicants have neither access to marriage in Ukraine nor the opportunity to receive any alternative form of legal recognition," the court stated in its ruling.
During the proceedings, the Ukrainian state pointed out that the two applicants could regulate certain property aspects of their shared life under civil law.
The human rights court responded that such provisions are too limited and do not equal full recognition and protection of the spouses.
The judges pointed out the growing trend of legally recognizing same-sex relationships among the member states of the Council of Europe.
Ukraine's constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman and the country's law does not recognize same-sex civil unions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in August 2022 that after the war, his government would explore solutions for the legalization of same-sex civil partnerships.
On March 7, 2023, Inna Sovsun, an MP from the Holos party, submitted a draft law on the registration of same-sex couples.
Judicial reform formally completed as second top judicial body is appointed
All 16 members of the High Qualification Commission, a judicial body that vets and nominates candidates for judicial jobs, have been appointed now. The final selection was made on June 1 by the High Council of Justice, the judiciary’s main governing body. The council, which makes final decisions on…
Oleg Sukhov
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