(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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Lithuania restricts transit of dual-use goods that could end up in Russia, Belarus
• 1 min read
The Lithuania government approved a temporary ban on land transport of dual-use goods that could reach Russia or Belarus and be used in the war against Ukraine, Baltic News Agency (BNS) reported on June 28.
BNS wrote that the move was initiated by the Economy and Innovation Ministry and includes 57 types of goods, mainly microelectronics and semiconductor components.
"We have data... that these goods, moving from Western Europe to Central Asian countries, can be used on the battlefield in Ukraine," BNS cited Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė.
"We don't want to allow our territory to be used for that, and that's why we are introducing such restrictions."
The minister added that some goods that are declared to go to Central Asia never arrive there.
Vilnius informed European Commission of the decision, emphasizing that a solution on the European level would be more effective, as it would assure that such goods do not pass through Latvia, Finland, and Norway.
The EU's 11th package of sanctions against Russia is intended to curb Moscow's ability to acquire dual-use goods that could be used for military production through third countries.
Ukraine's officials complained to their Western partners that Russia is successfully circumventing sanctions and imports foreign-made components through other countries to build advanced weaponry, such as ballistic and cruise missiles.
EU Council approves 11th package of sanctions against Russia
The Council of the European Union announced on June 23 the adoption of the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at countering sanctions circumvention.
Martin Fornusek
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