(Updated: )Victory Day
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Friday, May 9
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
(Updated: )
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
At least two Russian missiles hit a military facility and a residential building in the southern city of Odesa on April 23, killing at least eight people, including a three-month-old baby, and injuring at least 18 people. One of the victims burned in his car parked near the building that was hit.
Two more missiles were shot down by air defense forces. The debris from one of them hit another residential building.
The number of casualties is likely to increase, according to Andriy Yermak, president’s chief of staff.
The main attack destroyed at least four stories in a 16-story residential building in Arkadia, a popular residential area of Odesa. An unknown number of victims may remain under the rubble, and rescuers from the State Emergency Service are working on the site.
The missiles were launched by a Russian bomber Tu-95 coming from the Caspian Sea, according to Ukraine's military.
Speaking at a press conference later in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia fired seven missiles at Odesa on April 23, including two that were intercepted.
Odesa has been targeted before, but it's the first time a residential building was hit.
The airstrike hit the city during the Orthodox Easter weekend. The Security Service called on April 23 for Ukrainians to stay home during Easter festivities over threats of Russian attacks that authorities feared can target churchgoers.
"Nothing is sacred (for them)," Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Russia to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism and "treated accordingly," meaning "no business, no contacts, no cultural projects."
"We need a wall between civilization and barbarians striking peaceful cities with missiles," Kuleba wrote on Twitter on April 23.
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