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.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Ukraine's military destroyed two Russian control points, two positions of missile forces and artillery, as well as five concentrations of Russian troops over the past 24 hours.
On Jan. 8, the General Staff said that the Ukrainian ground and air forces struck 26 Russian troop and equipment concentrations without specifying the exact locations. These locations are generally where troops are assembled before conducting offensive operations.
Russian forces continue attacking Ukrainian troops' positions and civilian sector alongside the entire front line, the military said.
The town of Soledar near Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk Oblast, currently the hottest point on the front line, came under Russian fire 86 times over the past day, Serhii Cherevatyi, Eastern Military Command spokesman, said on Jan. 10.
Cherevatyi said that even though Russian troops "suffered colossal losses," they still tried to advance to capture the salt-mining town.
On the previous day, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that Russian forces changed tactics and commenced another major "powerful" assault on Soledar, transferring additional units to the city.
On Jan. 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address that Soledar is one of the "bloodiest places on the front."
Soledar is located just 10 kilometers northeast of Bakhmut and is a crucial stronghold for Ukraine's efforts to defend the city. By capturing Soledar and Bakhmut, Russia aims to make further progress its goal of occupying the whole of Donetsk Oblast within its administrative borders.
