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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.
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Friday, May 9
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.
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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.
(Updated: )Victory Day
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.
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New York Times: Leaked Pentagon documents indicate Ukrainian air defenses in danger
• 1 min read
Ukraine’s air defense network is in danger of being overwhelmed unless it is fortified by a large number of additional munitions, according to an analysis of leaked Pentagon documents and U.S. officials who spoke to the New York Times.
So far, Ukraine’s air defenses have proven surprisingly effective in defending the country from Russian attacks and in preventing Russia from gaining control over Ukraine’s airspace. Repeated Russian attacks, however, are draining Ukrainian weapons stockpiles, possibly opening the door for Russian planes to inflict damage in Ukraine more easily, the NYT wrote.
One of the recently leaked documents projected that Ukraine’s stocks of Soviet-era S-300 and Buk air defense missiles, Ukraine’s most important air defense weapons, would be fully depleted by early May and mid-April. The document was issued on Feb. 28 and it is unclear if the assessment has changed.
The same leaked document claimed that Ukraine’s air defense in front-line areas would “be completely reduced” by May 23, the NYT reported.
In the event Ukraine’s air defenses reach critically low levels, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could decide that it is now safe enough to send in Russia’s valuable and numerous fighter jets and bombers to attack Ukrainian positions and artillery, senior Pentagon officials said.
U.S. General Philip Breedlove told the NYT that nonetheless, “Russia still remains a bit fearful of flying into Ukraine because there’s still a fair amount of density of Ukrainian kit.”
While Western nations have provided Ukraine with additional air defense systems, military officials told the NYT that Kyiv will require far more than was has already been sent in order to sustain its air defenses.
One U.S. military official said that reinforcements to Ukraine’s air defense systems were critical to helping Ukraine regain territory in its planned spring counteroffensive.
Ukraine’s Air Force said on April 9 that key Western air defense systems, including the much-anticipated Patriot missiles, are set to arrive in the country soon. The Patriot missiles are expected to bolster Ukraine’s air defense systems, but Pentagon officials told the NYT that Ukraine will need “far more” than the Patriot to succeed in the coming months.
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