(Updated: )Victory Day
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Friday, May 9
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.
(Updated: )
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
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General Staff: Russia continues to steal Ukrainian grain from occupied territories
• 1 min read
Russian occupying authorities in Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, are loading stolen Ukrainian grain onto Russian cargo ships to export it, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on April 24.
“The Russian occupiers continue to rob the civilian population of Ukraine, appropriating the grain harvest,” the General Staff wrote.
Earlier, the Center for Journalistic Investigations reported, citing local Telegram channels, that a Russian vessel had been loaded with stolen grain for the second time in a week at the port of occupied Berdiansk, located on the Azov Sea coast.
According to Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of Melitopol, the move is part of Moscow’s plan to export one million tons of stolen Ukrainian grain to Russia by sea.
On March 16, Fedorov reported the alleged plan, citing the top Russian proxy in the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Yevhen Balytskyi.
Fedorov, who is now in Ukrainian-controlled territory and reports based on sources in the occupied territories, said that Ukrainian agrarians were forced to cooperate with Moscow-installed proxies.
“Grain is bought at prices three times lower than market prices or simply confiscated,” he added.
Berdiansk and Melitopol in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast have been under Russian occupation since February 2022.
Agriculture Minister: Russia’s grain corridor sabotage could lead to higher food prices
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Russia’s blockage of Ukrainian seaports triggered a global food crisis. The global food crisis was partially resolved in July when an UN-backed grain deal was reached, forcing Russia to unblock three ports in Odesa Oblast for…
Anastasiya Gordiychuk
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