(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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ISW: Ukraine's General Staff does not report fighting in the city of Bakhmut for first time since December
• 1 min read
Ukraine's General Staff did not mention fighting in Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast in its evening briefing on May 23 for the first time since last December, suggesting that Wagner Group forces may have advanced further into the city, the Institute for the Study of War said in its latest update.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials have recently stated that fighting around Bakhmut has decreased as Ukraine conducts limited counterattacks on the city's flanks.
The update cited Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar who stated that combat operations had decreased in and around the city and that Ukrainian forces continue to maintain their positions near the MiG-17 monument in western Bakhmut.
But a Russian military blogger shared a video purporting to show Wagner troops near the monument and claimed that there were no Ukrainian forces in the area, the ISW reported.
Spokesperson for Ukraine's Eastern Group of Forces Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty also said that Ukrainian forces had advanced 200- 400 meters along the city's flanks and that Ukraine still controlled buildings and fortifications in southwestern Bakhmut, according to the ISW update.
Meanwhile, another Russian military blogger denied reported that Ukraine had made gains during its counterattacks northwest and southwest of the city.
Russia takes Bakhmut: Taking stock of the war’s bloodiest battle so far
CHASIV YAR, Donetsk Oblast – Ten months after Russia’s assault on the once-flourishing city in Donetsk Oblast began, Bakhmut has now been effectively occupied by Russian troops. This hasn’t been confirmed yet by Kyiv, but is evident based on both official statements and those made by soldiers on th…
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