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.
In the last 24 hours, Russian attacks were reported in eight out of Ukraine's 24 oblasts – Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk.
According to the regional governors' reports, five civilians were killed, and at least ten were injured.
Russian troops killed one civilian in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. He added that Russian attacks damaged houses, outbuildings, and three farms.
In the southern Kherson Oblast, the regional government said that eight civilians, including two children, were injured in a Russian attack against the region over the past day.
Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported that four civilians were killed, and one was injured in the eastern Donetsk Oblast. Three civilians were killed in Bohorodychne and one in Torske.
The regional military administration of Sumy Oblast reported early on April 8 that Russian forces hit the northern region 46 times over the past 24 hours, targeting communities that border Russia. No casualties were reported.
Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet launched two aerial bombs against the neighboring Chernihiv Oblast, damaging houses, according to the Northern Command of Ukraine’s military. No casualties were reported.
Russian forces also shelled Ochakiv, according to Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitaliy Kim. No casualties were reported.
According to Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Yurii Melashko, one civilian was injured in the Russian attack against the southeastern region. Russian shelling has damaged 23 houses over the past day. He added that the injured civilian has been hospitalized.
Russian forces shelled several settlements in eastern Luhansk Oblast, according to Ukraine’s General Staff.
