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.
Workers fix an election campaign billboard depicting Moldova's parliamentary candidate Ilan Shor and reading both in Romanian and Russian "Ilan Shor (is) for the people" in Chisinau on Feb. 13, 2019. (Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo credit should read DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)
Moldova's pro-Kremlin politician Ilan Shor has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud and money laundering, Jurnal reported on April 13.
Shor is believed to have left Moldova in June 2019, Jurnal wrote. He is likely in Israel, where he is also a citizen.
"Regardless of where he serves his sentence, whether in Israel or Moldova, his seized assets worth 5 billion lei ($1 billion) will now be confiscated in favor of the state. This is just for the case on which the decision was made today, and there are still others to come," Olesea Stamate, head of Moldova's Parliamentary Legal Committee said.
Shor and his political party of the same name have been under U.S. sanctions since October 2022. According to the U.S. Treasury, Shor worked "with Russian individuals to create a political alliance to control Moldova's parliament, which would then support several pieces of legislation in the interests of the Russian Federation" ahead of the 2021 elections.
Shor and his political faction are also believed to finance many of the anti-government protests against President Maia Sandu.
Responding to the news, Sandu said, "We wanted this so that justice would prevail for the people. This is what the citizens wanted: for the thieves to return the money, and the law was put at the forefront. Only in this way can justice gain legitimacy, through just legal decisions to punish thieves."
Russia's war in Ukraine has led to heightened security concerns in neighboring Moldova.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Rechan told TV8 in late February that authorities were aware of "several" ongoing Russian scenarios to destabilize the country, including a plan to take control of the Chisinau airport.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
