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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has created the world’s largest database on those involved in Russia’s war, adding 24,000 people to the list, the agency’s head Oleksandr Novikov said on April 4.
Novikov said on national television, as cited by the Ukrinform news outlet, that a separate part of this project is a register of war sponsors, which includes international companies still working in Russia.
The register is automatically indexed by a special database so that any bank or foreign agency can see if a company finances the war, he added.
The NACP has been identifying those involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine since its first days, according to Novikov. Kyiv has imposed sanctions on “the largest number of people in world history,” based on the agency’s list.
On March 30, the NACP included the largest Chinese construction contractor in Russia, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), to the list of international sponsors of the war.
The list also includes Procter&Gamble, OpenWay Group, Leroy Merlin, ComNav Technology, Mondi Group/Mondi PLC, Bonduelle, Auchan Holding, Metro Cash & Carry, Buzzi Unicem, Yves Rocher, Raiffeisen Bank International, and other companies.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
