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.
The Russian steel plant damaged by a possible drone attack on Feb. 24 is "a military enterprise" that contributes directly to Moscow's arsenal, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence, said in a television broadcast.
A fire erupted at the main plant of Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) in Lipetsk, Russia on Feb. 24. Military intelligence sources reportedly told Ukrainian media that the plant was targeted in a joint operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR).
Yusov neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of the SBU or HUR in his comments on the attack.
"We will not confirm or deny it. But there was a Russian production facility that is directly involved in the military-industrial complex, directing steel to the production of guns, armor and missile weapons that kill Ukrainians," Yusov said.
Located approximately 400 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border, the plant accounts for 80% of NLMK's steel output and contributes 18% to Russia's total steel production.
Yusov called the plant "a military enterprise."
"(W)e can confirm the fact that yes, this company will be out of commission for a long time," he said.
Ukraine's military intelligence has publicly claimed responsibility for sabotage attacks within Russian territory on previous occasions.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
