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.
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky during a court session on August 10, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Vitalii Nosach /Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
The Kyiv Pechersk District Court put lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinskyi, investigated for organizing an illegal border crossing, under round-the-clock house arrest, Ukrinform reported on Nov. 6, citing the State Bureau for Investigation (DBR).
The lawmaker, suspected of helping a brother of his civil partner illegally leave Ukraine for Moldova, has also been mandated to wear an electronic tracking bracelet, the DBR said.
Dubinskyi is thought to have entered the man's information into a governmental system that allows men to leave under the condition that they are transporting humanitarian aid or medical supplies and will return to Ukraine.
The man reportedly also received his permission to cross the border thanks to a petition by the NGO MEDIAOBORONA. The organization's director, formerly Dubinsky's assistant, was also charged in connection to this case and put under house arrest on Nov. 4, the DBR noted.
Media reports emerged on Nov. 1 that investigators were carrying out searches at Dubinskyi's property over his suspected involvement in organizing an illegal border crossing.
The crime of illegally transportation someone across the border carries a punishment of up to seven years in prison.
The MP was already declared a suspect in another crime in August, namely falsifying official documents in a case related to his own travel abroad.
The authorities believe he traveled under the pretext of accompanying his father for medical treatment outside of Ukraine. However, Dubinskyi's father went abroad without him and returned to Ukraine before the lawmaker.
Ukraine declared general mobilization and martial law after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to go abroad without a special permit.
Oleksandr Kalitenko
