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."
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.
Donald Trump (R), at the time the U.S. president, greets Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 4, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Republican Party's Senate Minority Leader, is floating the idea of splitting the issue of Ukraine funding and border security reforms amid his party's infighting, the Hill reported on Jan. 24.
Splitting the two issues would be "quite a shift in strategy," as border security has been "painstakingly negotiated with Senate Democrats and the White House over the past six weeks," the Hill said.
Since autumn 2023, Congress has disagreed on a supplemental funding bill that included $61 billion in aid for Ukraine. Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked the passing of the bill, insisting that further military aid must include significant changes to U.S. border policy.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Jan. 18 that U.S. President Joe Biden made concessions on immigration policy to Senate Republicans to deflect criticism and secure backing for Ukraine aid.
A source told the Hill, however, that "it's become clear that Senate conservatives strongly oppose the border security reforms that were negotiated with Democrats to go along with Ukraine funding."
McConnell reportedly acknowledged to Republican senators at a meeting on Jan. 23 "that the politics of border security have turned out to be a lot more complicated than he and other Senate Republicans anticipated," the Hill said.
Senator Ted Cruz told reporters the same day that a package linking Ukraine funding and border security has a "zero point zero, zero, zero percent" chance of being passed.
A shift in strategy may be needed "given how much opposition the border security reforms are now facing from Republican conservatives," the Hill said.
An additional complication is that some House Republicans are against aid for Kyiv in principle.
Others believe that the amount of economic assistance given to Kyiv in the bill is too high.
A package that keeps military aid and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv but has a reduction in economic assistance may "attract more Republican votes" if it's stripped of the border security measure, the Hill said.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the last U.S. $250 million aid package for Ukraine on Dec. 27, including ammunition for anti-aircraft warfare, multiple launch rocket systems, artillery, anti-tank mines, and others.
Without Congress's approval for additional aid to Ukraine, the lack of funding prevents the U.S. from meeting Ukraine's most urgent battlefield, including maintenance of already provided equipment, Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder said during a press briefing on Jan. 23.
Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Jan. 24 that while there are "still challenges," the approval of aid to Ukraine is getting closer "every day."
"The Senate has a responsibility to make sure that (Russian President) Putin regrets the day he questioned America's resolve," Schumer said.
Anna Husarska
