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.
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.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contract Group in Brussels, June 2023. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images)
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak believes that Poland will amass a force of 300,000 soldiers, making it the largest land army in Europe, Polskie Radio reported on Sept. 23.
Blaszczak made these remarks at a celebration held at the Grunwald Battlefield, where 850 Polish soldiers swore a military oath.
The site commemorates Poland's historic victory in the 1410 Battle of Grunwald.
The defense minister told the assembled troops that the Polish army may number 300,000 soldiers, in order to deter Russian forces from entering the country.
"And if we add the fact that every inch of Polish land is defended by the Polish army, we have a guarantee of the security of our homeland," Blaszczak said.
In July, Polish officials announced that Poland planned to double the size of its military in response to threats from Russia and Belarus.
On Sept. 20, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told Polsat News that his government would stop sending weapons to Ukraine in order to focus on its own military stockpiles.
"We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland,” Morawiecki said.
Later, other Polish officials clarified his statements by saying that Poland continues to supply arms and ammunition that are part of previously agreed deliveries.
Dinara Khalilova
