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.
A Ukrainian infantryman runs towards the trenches on the front line, in the Kreminna forest, Luhansk Oblast, on Jan. 31, 2024. (Ignacio Marin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ukraine's military intelligence agency published a list on Feb. 14 of over 100 Syrian nationals who have been recruited by Russia to fight against Ukraine.
The agency reported on Feb. 7 that Russia was training a group of 1,000 Syrian mercenaries near Aleppo with a focus on "conducting combat operations in urban areas."
After training, the foreign fighters are sent to Russia, given Russian passports, and mobilized into the Russian army, according to the agency.
The agency said that Russia also recruits Syrian men by promising jobs as security guards at oil refineries in Russia's Far East, and then are told that there are opportunities for a "higher-paying job" in Buryatia, where they are mobilized.
The list of Syrian nationals published by the agency includes 141 names, the youngest born in 2001, and the oldest born in 1973.
The recruitment of Syrians demonstrates the deterioration of morale among Russian forces and the need to replenish personnel due to the use of "human wave" attacks, the agency said.
Ukrainian forces regularly report that Russia uses "human wave" attacks, where masses of poorly trained soldiers are sent onto the battlefield without proper equipment or training.
As Russian casualties in Ukraine mount, Russia is increasingly recruiting foreign fighters from impoverished countries. CNN reported on Feb. 11 that the Russian army recruited 15,000 Nepalis to fight in Ukraine.
Nepal urged the Russian government to stop recruiting Nepalese citizens into its army in December after at least six of its nationals were confirmed killed. The authorities then uncovered a domestic smuggling ring that recruited youths as foreign fighters for the Russian military.
Nate Ostiller
