Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attend a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at the Pentagon on March 15, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds - Pool/Getty Images)
Ukraine's upcoming counteroffensive has the United States fast-tracking the supply of weapons and the training of Ukrainian soldiers, with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warning, "Ukraine doesn't have any time to waste," Politico reported.
“We have to deliver swiftly and fully on our promised commitments,” Austin, as quoted by Politico, said. “That includes delivering our armored capabilities to the battlefield and ensuring that Ukrainian soldiers get the training, spare parts, and maintenance support they need to use these new systems as soon as possible.”
According to Politico, the U.S.'s concern stems from the amount of artillery the Ukrainian military has already depleted and the level of experience necessary for its soldiers to launch a successful counteroffensive.
American officials estimated that as many as 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the war, Politico reported.
Russia is also suffering heavy losses, with 162,560 troop casualties as per the latest update given by Ukraine's General Staff.
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he was "optimistic" about the outcome of the Ramstein format meeting with allies on March 15 regarding the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense, ammunition supplies, and training soldiers.
Following the latest meeting, Spain pledged four additional Leopard tanks, and Canada announced that it would provide Ukraine with more artillery and air defense ammunition.
Austin also confirmed that nine countries have pledged a total of 150 tanks so far, and the tank coalition was in the process of growing.
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