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 shooting occurred around 3:22 p.m. local time in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, a residential area in Bucha district, according to the Kyiv regional police.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, China, on Feb. 4, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)
Trade and customs data from between June and December 2022 showed that Chinese companies have exported 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment, such as drone parts and body armor, to Russian entities, Politico reported.
One of the companies involved is Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co. (DJI) which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2021 for aiding the Chinese government in keeping tabs on the persecuted Uyghur community in Xinjiang.
DJI sent drone parts, including batteries and cameras, to a Russian business through the United Arab Emirates in November and December 2022.
According to Politico, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited transferred the rifles in June 2022 to Tekhkrim, a company that does business with the Russian military.
There is no explicit evidence that proves the shipments were intended for the battlefield, as Politico noted, given the "dual use" nature of these products. However, Western countries have expressed growing concern over China's potential involvement in the war in recent weeks.
CIA Director Bill Burns said in an interview with CBS News on Feb. 24 that China was considering sending lethal aid to Russia and brought the topic to light in hopes of deterring Beijing from going forward with any such decision.
Burns stressed that sending lethal aid to Russia would be a "very risky and unwise bet" for China's President Xi Jinping.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged China on March 2 not to arm Russia, encouraging Beijing to "use their influence in Moscow to urge the withdrawal of Russian troops" instead.
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.
