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.
Illustrative image grab taken from AFPTV video footage on April 28, 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke rising over Khartoum, Sudan. (AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia plans to sow disinformation in African media that accuses Ukraine of using Western-supplied arms to fight in Sudan, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on April 17.
Russia maintains a strong presence in African countries like Sudan through its Wagner Group and other entities, helping prop up authoritarian governments, fueling destabilization, and extracting resources to fund its war against Ukraine.
Moscow may plant fake stories in African media with fabricated photos of U.S.-produced weapons obtained by Wagner Group mercenaries in Ukraine, HUR warned.
"The Kremlin will also try to emphasize that elite Ukrainian special forces are participating in hostilities in Africa," drawing African attention away from its war in Ukraine, HUR said.
HUR said this plan is being developed "against the background of the weakening of the positions of Russia and its proxy forces" in Africa.
The Wall Street Journal reported in March that a small number of Ukrainian army teams took part in hostilities in Sudan, helping the country's leader fend off Wagner Group-backed rebel forces.
Claims have previously appeared in other media publications that Ukrainian special forces took part in operations in Sudan and are responsible for strikes against Wagner-backed militants.
According to the WSJ, Sudan's de facto ruler, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, appealed to Ukraine for assistance in the summer of 2023 while besieged by rebel forces.
The civil war in the African country between Burhan's military government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary broke out in April 2023. Over 13,000 people have been killed and over 6 million people have become internally displaced in Sudan, according to International Rescue Committee.
Kyiv has not publicly confirmed involvement in the conflict in Sudan. "We emphasize that Ukraine and its Defense Forces continue to act exclusively within the framework of international law and the UN Charter," HUR said.
Ukraine has "nothing to do with any illegal actions related to illegal arms trafficking," HUR added.
Ray Hartley
