The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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."
Police stand in front infrastructure destroyed as a result of a missile attack on Chernihiv, Ukraine, on April 17, 2024. (Oleksiy Zhernov/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Ukraine's lack of air defense supplies from its partners is resulting in the deaths of innocent people, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on April 17, after a Russian missile strike on Chernihiv killed at least 14 people.
"Three days ago in the Middle East, we saw what reliable protection of human lives from missiles looks like," Kuleba said. "Ukraine's partners have the necessary means to help us save Ukrainian lives with the same level of efficiency."
Iran carried out a massive aerial attack on Israel on April 14 and launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, the vast majority of which were downed by Israel and its allies before they even reached Israeli territory.
In Ukraine, meanwhile, Russia has been intensifying its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians this spring, highlighting growing shortages in Ukraine's air defense systems as a decision to provide $60 billion in aid remains stalled in the U.S. Congress.
Russia used three missiles to strike Chernihiv, a city around 120 kilometers (74 miles) northeast of Kyiv, at around 9 a.m. local time.
The attack destroyed an eight-story building and damaged surrounding buildings and vehicles. At least 60 people were injured, and among the dead is a 25-year-old female police lieutenant.
"These innocent people would not have been killed or injured if Ukraine had sufficient air defense capabilities," Kuleba said, echoing President Volodymyr Zelensky's remark that "this would not have happened if Ukraine had received enough air defense equipment."
Kuleba said he is grateful to Germany for deciding on April 13 to provide Ukraine with another Patriot system, and will "urge other partners to follow suit during my meetings with G7 allies in Italy this week."
Elsa Court
