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."
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.
A Ukrainian tank crew receives training on the maintenance of Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks at a military training ground of the Bundeswehr on May 05, 2023 near Klietz, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Germany has already earmarked funding for Ukraine in its budget planning until 2032, Bundeswehr Major General Christian Freuding said in a Nov. 3 interview with the German news outlet Stuttgarter Nachrichten.
Freuding, head of the Special Staff for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense, also said that over 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in Germany since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
It is crucial that Russia is aware of Germany's long-term commitment to Ukraine, Freuding said, emphasizing that "the fight for freedom has no expiration date."
When asked about the current state of the war, Freuding acknowledged that it did appear as if the Ukrainian counteroffensive on the southern front had "lost momentum," but said that the gains made in the south had been "consolidated and maintained."
In addition, although Russia has increasingly invested significant manpower and resources into its own attacks, it has little to show for its effort, Freuding said.
Although there has been a general lack of progress on both sides, Freuding dismissed the notion that Ukraine cannot win the war.
"Every war can be won militarily - including the current one in Ukraine," he said, but added that "every war ends at a negotiating table."
Germany announced the delivery of another aid package for Ukraine on Nov. 1, which included 12 armored personnel carriers, two air surveillance radars, seven Primoco ONE reconnaissance drones, and other defense assistance.
In October, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a $1.1 billion "winter" aid package for Ukraine, pledging to provide air defenses and other equipment to help Kyiv prepare for the coming colder months.
Anastasiia Lapatina
