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.
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Friday, May 9
"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.
The shooting occurred around 3:22 p.m. local time in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, a residential area in Bucha district, according to the Kyiv regional police.
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council and a former Russian president, claimed that the U.K. is leading an “undeclared war against Russia” by supplying Ukraine with weapons, making British officials “legitimate military targets.”
Medvedev tweeted this on May 31 in reaction to U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who said Ukraine has the right to use force outside its borders for self-defense, the Russian opposition outlet Meduza reported.
Cleverly’s statement came after the May 30 drone attacks on high-rise buildings in Moscow, which the Kremlin blames on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials have denied responsibility.
“Today, the U.K. acts as Ukraine’s ally providing it with military aid in the form of equipment and specialists, i.e., de facto is leading an undeclared war against Russia,” Medvedev tweeted.
London has been one of Ukraine’s most committed supporters, providing up to 4.6 billion pounds ($5.7 billion) worth of military aid, including Challenger 2 tanks, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and training for Ukrainian soldiers.
CNN: UK delivers long-range missiles to Ukraine
The U.K. has already provided Ukraine with multiple long-range cruise missiles Storm Shadow, CNN wrote on May 11, citing senior Western officials. Storm Shadow, jointly developed by the U.K. and France, has a range of over 250 kilometers or 155 miles.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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