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.
The government has allocated over Hr 1.2 billion ($32.5 million) from the state reserve fund to construct defensive lines in the northeastern parts of Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Aug. 15.
At the request of oblast military administrations, the state is sending Hr 911.5 million ($24.7 million) to build up fortifications in Kharkiv Oblast and Hr 363 million ($9.8 million) for the same purpose in Chernihiv Oblast.
Both oblasts suffer regular strikes by Russian forces. Kharkiv Oblast at Ukraine's eastern border with Russia has been partially occupied since February 2022, however, the Ukrainian counteroffensive last fall succeeded in liberating most of its territory.
Russian forces recently started concentrating a significant force near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, after which the local authorities began evacuating dozens of settlements in the area.
Russian forces took parts of the northern Chernihiv Oblast in the spring of 2022 but withdrew after they failed to secure Kyiv. Russian sabotage groups regularly attempt to conduct cross-border raids into Chernihiv Oblast, with the latest one reported today on Aug. 15.
Alexander Query
