(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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Kuleba: 'The time of weapons taboo has ended. We are entering a decisive phase'
• 1 min read
This year, allies will give Ukraine new kinds of weapons, Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a statement he shared on Facebook.
“The first week of 2023 proves it,” he said.
Kuleba said that the recent announcements of France, Germany and the U.S. on supplying Ukraine with more series of weapons like light tanks and armored personnel carriers, shows that “the time of the taboo regarding weapons from the allies is in the past.”
Kuleba said that this "cascade of good news" is the result of the diplomatic work of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team.
"This week, President Zelensky is conducting a real diplomatic marathon this week, holding talks with three to four leaders every day," Kuleba said. "Some decisions on the supply of weapons are made instantly during the calls, and some will be made based on their results.
"After every report like this (about new weapons pledged), there is more gnashing of teeth in the Kremlin and weeping on the Russia television," Kuleba said.
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