(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: Russia begins negotiations with Algeria, Saudi Arabia, UAE to open Russian cultural centers
• 2 min read
Russia has begun negotiations with Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to open Russian cultural centers abroad, likely aimed at increasing Russian influence in the Middle East and North Africa, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its assessment on Jan. 4.
According to the ISW, Russia's effort to develop cultural centers, known as Russia House centers, in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are part of a broader diplomatic initiative to exert Russian influence in different regions of the world. The details regarding the current status of the negotiation process with these countries were not disclosed.
European nations have criticized Russia's attempts to use cultural centers to promote Russian propaganda abroad, with Ukrainian and Moldovan officials previously warning that Russian officials use Russian cultural centers to conduct “subversive work" abroad.
In July 2023, Czech authorities opened an investigation into a Russian cultural center in Prague known for promoting a booklet with anti-Ukrainian themes translated into Czech, citing potential sanction violations. In 2022, the cultural center allegedly released a translated document promoting Russian war propaganda.
The ISW notes, citing Russian state-controlled media reports, that similar negotiations are ongoing with other undisclosed nations. Previous Russia state media reports indicate that Russia is also in negotiations to open additional cultural centers in Brazil, South Africa, Angola, and Mali by 2025.
Russia currently operates more than 80 Russian House centers across Europe, Africa, and Central and Southeast Asia under the guise of promoting Russian culture abroad and preserving historical sites abroad with significance to Russia.
Ukraine war latest: Russia fires North Korean-supplied missiles into Ukraine, White House says
Key developments on Jan. 4: * Russia fires North Korean-supplied missiles into Ukraine * WSJ: Russia plans to buy ballistic missiles from Iran * Military: Ukrainian strike hits Russian command post in Crimea * Commander: Russia doubles attacks in southeastern sector * National Resistance Cente…
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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