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.
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.
France's President Emmanuel Macron (right) receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (left) at the Elysee Palace, June 16, 2023. (Photo credit: Antoine Gyori - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
France's President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysee Palace, hoping to win the Saudi heir's support for Ukraine's victory, Politico reported on June 16.
According to Politico's source, Macron plans to press the prince to use his influence over Russia.
"What we are asking … is that (Saudi Arabia) helps us accelerate a Ukrainian victory, which would lead to talks between Ukraine and Russia," Politico cited a French official as saying.
Saudi Arabia has taken mostly a neutral stance toward the war, positioning itself as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine.
Leveraging its good relations with Moscow, Riyadh helped to facilitate the release of ten foreign-born Ukrainian fighters from Russia’s captivity in September 2022.
Zelensky met the Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Feb. 26., after which Saudis confirmed their pledge to provide Ukraine with $100 million of humanitarian aid and $300 million worth of oil products.
However, Riyadh's steps have put the country at odds with Ukraine's Western partners.
On April 3, Riyadh and other Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) states announced drastic cuts to oil production, ramping up the product's costs and indirectly aiding Russia.
In response, Washington accused Saudi Arabia of siding with Moscow and threatened with consequences.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
