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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) in Moscow, Russia on March 29, 2023. Photo for illustrative purposes. (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Moscow and Tehran signed a declaration on jointly combating Western sanctions imposed against the two regimes over their role in the war against Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Dec. 5 at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
The declaration describes “ways and means of counteracting, mitigating and compensating the negative consequences" of the sanctions both sides call “illegal,” according to Lavrov, cited by the Russian news outlet Interfax.
The agreement comes ahead of a Dec. 7 visit of Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi to Moscow and against the backdrop of increasing cooperation between the two countries.
The talks between Lavrov and Iran’s Hossein Amir-Abdollahian took place on the sidelines of a summit of ministers of five Caspian countries — Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.
Besides signing the declaration, Lavrov and Amir-Abdollahian reportedly discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has been deepening military and economic ties with Tehran. The West has sanctioned both regimes to hinder Russia’s ability to wage its war against Ukraine with the help of Iran.
Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones used in airstrikes against Ukraine, as well as their manufacturing technology. The U.S. is also concerned that Iran is preparing to supply ballistic missiles to Russia.
Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Mahdi Farahi said on Nov. 28 that his country had finalized arrangements for the delivery of Russian Su-35 fighter jets and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters.
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Katie Marie Davies
