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.
The New Zealand flag flies as a seagull stands on top of the flag pole in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 2, 2016. (Brendon O'Hagan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
New Zealand’s government announced on Feb. 22 that it would provide Ukraine with another defense and humanitarian aid package worth almost $26 million.
This package brings the total value of New Zealand’s assistance pledged to Ukraine in the past two years to over $100 million.
A large chunk of the money will be used to finance an extension of New Zealand’s training program for Ukrainian soldiers until 2025, the country’s government wrote in a press release.
As part of the package, New Zealand will send $6.5 million to a U.K.-administered fund to procure weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.
The country will also provide $7 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukrainians affected by the war, including refugees, and transfer $3 million to the World Bank’s Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund.
New Zealand is also reportedly working on a new package of sanctions against Russia.
“Russia launched its illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter,” New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.
“The war has had a horrific human cost, caused immense suffering, and has significantly impacted regional and global stability. That is why New Zealand remains committed to standing with Ukraine.”
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Kateryna Denisova
