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.
Donald Tusk following the vote on his election as Prime Minister of Poland in the Sejm on Dec. 11, 2023. (Donald Tusk / X)
Polish Civic Coalition leader Donald Tusk was elected as Poland's prime minister, following a vote in the country's parliament, the Sejm, on Dec. 11.
248 lawmakers voted in favor of Tusk becoming prime minister, while 201 voted against.
Mateusz Morawiecki, who was prime minister since 2017 as a member of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, lost a vote of confidence earlier on Dec. 11, ending political wrangling in Poland's government that has followed the Oct. 15 parliamentary election.
PiS won the most seats in the election but failed to gain an outright majority, winning 194 seats in a 460-member parliament. In Poland, the largest party is usually given the initial right to attempt to form a government.
Polish President Andrzej Duda officially appointed Morawiecki as the proposed head of the new government on Nov. 27. It was expected to be a short-lived tenure, as lawmakers predicted that Morawiecki would not survive the confidence vote.
Duda's decision to allow PiS to attempt to form a government delayed the formation of a Tusk-led government by nearly two months. Tusk said on Oct. 24 that his three-party coalition, made up of 248 MPs from center-right and left parties, was ready to form a government.
In a speech following the vote, Tusk thanked Poland and said it was a wonderful day, "not for me, but for all those who throughout these many years deeply believed that things would get even better and that we would chase away the darkness and evil."
"We'll fix everything together," Tusk said. "From tomorrow, we will be able to right the wrongs so that everyone, without exception, can feel at home."
Former Prime Minister and Law and Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski reportedly stormed the podium after the speech, claiming that Tusk was a "German agent."
Tusk is set to present his cabinet to the Sejm on the morning of Dec. 12.
President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Tusk on X, posting that "Ukraine and Poland's future lies in unity, mutual assistance, and strategic partnership in order to defeat our common enemy."
"When we stand together, both our nations' freedom is unbeatable," Zelensky said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Tusk and said on X that his "experience and strong commitment to our European values will be precious in forging a stronger Europe, for the benefit of the Polish people."
Dinara Khalilova
