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.
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.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv on Feb. 26, 2024. (Eugen Kotenko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 9 that he ordered relevant ministries to introduce "updated, more fair" rules on exempting employees of "critically important" companies from military service.
His statement follows a recent decision by the Culture Ministry to give this status to a number of TV channels, circuses, and other cultural institutions.
Shmyhal said that he ordered "to define an exhaustive list of critical infrastructure facilities and enterprises," adding that "clear and understandable criteria are needed so that neither the military nor the public have any questions as to why certain people are exempt (from military service) in our state."
The Culture Ministry has issued decrees designating dozens of media companies and TV channels, including those participating in Ukraine's TV marathon, "as critically important for the functioning of the economy and ensuring the livelihood of the population in a special period."
This status has also been given to several circuses, theaters, operas, and other cultural institutions across Ukraine, prompting active discussions among Ukrainians.
The Culture Ministry defended its move on April 9, saying that the government must ensure "at least the minimum functioning capacity" of the country's cultural institutions that continued their work despite war.
"Perhaps it is not entirely correct to call cultural institutions enterprises that are 'critically important for the functioning of the economy.' It would be correct to call them critically important for our life, spiritual stability, and resistance," the ministry's statement reads.
"We believe that the hate around the topic of (exemptions from military service) for cultural and media workers is disrespectful for people who do their work honestly and good, a primitive assessment of their social importance, as well as the general importance of culture in a country at war."
According to the ministry, 1,150 cultural workers and over 700 media employees across Ukraine have so far received exemptions from military service.
"After obtaining the status of critical importance, an institution submits to the ministry a list of draft-eligible men who are offered for deferment of military service for the period of martial law," adds the statement.
"The number of such persons cannot exceed 50% of the total number of draft-eligible employees of the enterprise."
Francis Farrell
