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.
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Friday, May 9
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.
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Sumy military administration denies information about 10,000 Russian troops on the region's border
• 1 min read
The Sumy Regional Military Administration reported on Feb. 17 that information about 10,000 Russian soldiers allegedly stationed on the border with the region is not true.
It was first reported by The Times on Feb. 15, who, quoting senior lieutenant of the Armed Forces Andrii Hulakov, said that Russia had concentrated a large group of troops near the border Sumy region.
"10,000 Russian troops are concentrated on the other side of the border with Sumy. This is the largest concentration that has ever been here," Hulakov was quoted as saying. It was also reported that the Russian forces had allegedly built a field hospital there, indicating potential offensive actions.
The administration said that as of Feb. 17, no Russian strike group had been spotted on the border with Sumy Oblast. "According to preliminary information, this is nothing other than an information attack," reads the statement.
Russian forces shell 7 Sumy Oblast communities on Feb. 16
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