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.
With Russia’s ruthless and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in the early morning hours of 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin has brazenly challenged the West.
Ukraine is courageously holding the fort at a high cost of human lives, both military and civilian, as well as an inestimable destruction of property. Ukraine’s territorial defenсe units are successfully resisting Russia’s invading army. The supply of defensive lethal weapons by Ukraine’s allies has certainly contributed to this.
As for the West, it must act now or pay a much higher price later.
Two days before Russia’s vicious military attack against the whole of Ukraine, Putin angrily delivered
an unequivocally clear message to the West by stating: “I will explain, that the US strategic planning documents […] stipulate an option of the socalled pre-emptive strike on enemy’s missile systems. And we know who the main
enemy for the US and NATO is. It is Russia. NATO documents officially, straightforwardly declare Russia as the main threat for Euro-Atlantic security. And Ukraine will serve as a foothold for such a strike.”
Putin is obviously delusional that the West – more precisely the US and NATO – intend to strike Russia. Moreover, Putin is utterly obsessed with Ukraine and convinced that Ukraine is the key component to the revival of a Russian empire. Indeed, approximately two months ago, on 17 December 2021, Russia delivered a half-veiled ultimatum to NATO and the US on how to avoid a military response from the Kremlin: accept two divisive draft Yalta-style “security” agreements; namely, commit not to admit Ukraine into NATO and to withdraw NATO troops and armaments from 14 out of 30 NATO member states. This would effectively dismantle NATO and re-establish a Russian sphere of influence on the territory of the former Eastern Bloc countries.
Putin’s ultimatum makes clear both his insatiable imperialist ambitions and that he intends to go much
further westward than Ukraine. The West must decide now whether to let Russia start a domino effect beginning with Ukraine, or help Ukraine succeed in defending its territorial integrity and stop any further westward military advance by Russia.
Time is of the essence.
Ukraine closed its airspace and urgently needs support to enforce this and save civilian lives from Russian fighter jets, drones and missiles violating its no-fly zone. It also needs additional effective defensive lethal weapons and fuel, as well as economic and humanitarian aid. As for Russia, it must be fully isolated without access to any sources of funding that contribute to Putin’s war chest. This should include a full trade embargo against Russia, its removal
from the SWIFT international banking system and the freezing of assets of Russia’s leadership.
Such sanctions must be immediate and coordinated by the US, the EU, the UK and Canada. It is still possible to avoid a heightened and dangerous worldwide crisis and to ensure peace, security and stability in Europe. The difference between the two possibilities is the political will of democratically elected governments.
