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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
Kyiv authorities are establishing a territorial defense headquarters to ensure the capital city's security in the event of an all-out military invasion by Russia.
The city's territorial defense grid is going to be unfolded soon, according to a statement published on Dec. 27.
"Russia's allegations and threats, the concentration of the aggressor state's military power at our borders incline us to get ready for various scenarios," Kyiv Major Vitaliy Klitschko said.
"That includes the worst-case scenario. We need to have a clear emergency plan and processed coordination of activities among all services and their branches."
Security across the country in many ways depends on the capital city's safety, the official added. Kyiv is home to over 500 critical infrastructure facilities that need to be safeguarded in case of an emergency, according to the city administration.
Territorial defense units may help with spreading information among the population, train civilians for resistance, participate in the defense of the population, the state border and critical infrastructure facilities, among other things.
Ukraine aims to create a brand new territorial defense system as a standalone branch within Ukraine's Armed Forces. The territorial defense units are to be established all across the country, mainly in large urban communities, with contracted personnel keeping their civilian jobs and getting summoned for regular drills in their home regions.
The new homeland defense branch is expected to provide the military with a large reserve of manpower for auxiliary activities in the rear. In case of enemy invasion and occupation, territorial defense units are also expected to offer armed resistance, along with the regular military.
According to a bill signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky in early August, the Territorial Defense Forces branch is expected to enlist a total of nearly 11,000 reserve troops.
Kyiv also continues establishing its own weekend warriors formation, the 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade, which, according to the city administration, welcomes new recruits. In January, the formation is expected to carry out staff exercises.
The acute border crisis between Ukraine and Russia has been going on since November when Ukrainian and Western intelligence warned of the drastic resurgence of Russian military power in regions bordering Ukraine and in the Russian-occupied areas.
The buildup, along with the Kremlin's fiery rhetoric towards Ukraine and the West raised concerns about a possible large invasion, seriously escalating the eight-year static war in the Donbas that has claimed over 13,000 lives.
Despite the intense diplomatic effort by Western leaders, Russia has shown no signs of de-escalation. According to NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Russian buildup continued as of late December.
Ukraine's intelligence estimated that Russia now has nearly 122,000 troops deployed in regions within 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian state border.
Amid the tense situation, Moscow has repeatedly issued aggressive demands for NATO to accept a legal guarantee not to let Ukraine join the Alliance and cease its military presence in Eastern Europe.
Following an invitation from Stoltenberg, the Kremlin announced a NATO-Russia Council meeting over Ukraine due on Jan. 12. A day before that, Russia is also expected to have talks with the U.S.
