(Updated: )Victory Day
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Friday, May 9
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.
(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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukraine for its successful and enduring resistance against Russia and pledged that Ukraine's Armed Forces will liberate the rest of occupied Ukraine.
"We now say Donbas, Kharkiv Oblast, Kherson, soon we will talk about Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Crimea as well," he said in his address to Ukrainians on the eight-month anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"All of Ukraine will be free," said Zelensky. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, capturing parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. Ukraine estimates that Russia has lost over 67,000 soldiers in Ukraine since February.
Zelensky added that Ukraine successfully defended its statehood, but threats remain with the upcoming winter "will be the hardest in history."
A map depicting the evolution of the front line after eight months of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. (The Kyiv Independent)
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