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.
Maksym Kozytskyi, the governor of Lviv Oblast, publicly distanced himself on Jan. 9 from businessman Ihor Hrynkevych, who is under investigation for a corruption scheme involving Ukraine's Defense Ministry.
Hrynkevych was arrested on Dec. 30 after reportedly attempting to bribe a top official from the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR). The DBR said he offered $500,000 to the official in question in exchange for the return of property confiscated as part of the criminal probe.
Hrynkevych's companies are accused of failing to complete Defense Ministry contracts, instead funneling Hr 1.2 billion ($31.6 million) into the businessman's own coffers. He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.
Deputy Defense Minister Vitalii Polovenko said at a press conference on Jan. 9 that the ministry had terminated all contracts with Hrynkevych's companies in light of the criminal investigations.
After photos circulated showing Hrynkevych and Kozytskyi posing while signing a memorandum, Kozytskyi acknowledged he met with the businessman on several occasions but has no "connection with (his) possible illegal activity."
The meetings related to HOPE.UA, a charitable organization run by Hrynkevych. Kozytskyi said that HOPE.UA is a well-known charity that is not currently the subject of suspicion.
He categorically denied that he introduced Hrynkevych to other Ukrainian ministries or promoted his companies.
"If Hrynkevych and the people he cooperated with are guilty....they have to bear the harshest possible punishment by law," Kozytskyi added.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry has seen several high-profile scandals involving procurement since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Two major corruption scandals preceded the ousting of previous Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, one regarding inflated prices for food supplies and the other connected to low-quality winter jackets.
When introducing incumbent Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as Reznikov's successor in September 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky named increased transparency in defense procurement as one of the new minister's key tasks.
Umerov said on Jan. 8 that internal audits and investigations at the ministry over the past four months have uncovered more than Hr 10 billion ($260 million) in violations committed previously.
