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.
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.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto arrives in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 12, 2023. (Peter Szijjarto / Facebook).
Hungary will veto the European Union's proposed 12th sanctions package if it includes the gas, oil, and nuclear energy sectors of the Russian economy, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Oct. 28 in an interview with Russian state-run media Ria Novosti.
"I can tell you for sure: if the next package contains something that contradicts our national interests, we will definitely not agree to its adoption," Szijjarto said, referring to the above-mentioned sectors as a "red line."
Russia has done nothing bad to Hungary, he said, adding that Russia actually saved the lives of Hungarians by providing access to vaccines.
The 12th sanctions package was announced on Oct. 27, aimed at further restricting Russia's ability to circumvent previous sanctions, as well as introducing new restrictions on Russia's diamond exports. It would require a unanimous decision to pass.
Hungary has consistently opposed sanctions on Russia and maintained close relations with the country since the full-scale invasion.
Szijjarto said on Sept. 22 that sanctions "cause more harm to Europe than to Russia" and are "not necessary."
Hungary has nonetheless eventually voted for the previous of 11 sanctions packages, but only after extracting some concessions or exceptions.
In addition to regularly giving interviews to Russian state-run media, Szijjarto has also visited Russia five times and Belarus twice since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Hungary has also delayed the ratification of new members Finland and Sweden into NATO. Hungary finally ratified Finland's accession to the alliance nine months after the original application.
Even after the other remaining holdout, Turkey, agreed to move forward with Sweden's accession on Oct. 23, Szijjarto said, "This changes nothing on our side."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously said in September that Hungary was in no rush to ratify Sweden's membership.
Francis Farrell
