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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.
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Friday, May 9
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.
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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.
(Updated: )Victory Day
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
Poland has again stepped up pressure on Germany after it refused to make a decision on the transfer of German-made main battle tanks from European countries to Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki vowed to build a “smaller coalition” of countries ready to send tanks and other equipment.
"I try to weigh my words, but I'll say it bluntly. Ukraine and Europe will win this war - with or without Germany," Morawiecki told PAP news agency, calling Germany's position "unacceptable."
Morawiecki also said Germany did not have to activate all its resources, as just a small percentage would be a sign of major progress.
Germany “should not weaken or sabotage" other countries’ activities, he said, adding that Poland would not look on passively while Ukraine bleeds.
Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov told Voice of America on Jan. 20 that while Ukraine and its partners wait for Germany's green light, Ukrainian tank crews will start training on Leopard 2 tanks in Poland.
Morawiecki said he had appealed unceasingly to Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz to take decisive action, as Germany is a powerful country both economically and militarily.
On Jan. 20, defense ministers from some 50 countries met for the eighth summit at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss further support for Ukraine.
Fighting off pressure from allies, Berlin dodged the decision to provide the long-anticipated Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine at the Ramstein defense summit on Jan. 20, despite the government having earlier promised to reach a final decision by then.
President Volodymyr Zelensky made direct requests for tanks in his address to the meeting, saying that “hundreds of thank you are not hundreds of tanks.”
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics called on Germany to “provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now” on Jan. 21 on behalf of Lithuanian and Estonian colleagues.
Western battle tanks, particularly the powerful German-made Leopards, would give Ukraine a technological equipment advantage over Russia, which mostly relies on old Soviet stock, amid threats of a renewed large-scale offensive.
At Ramstein, Germany stops short of giving Ukraine Leopard tanks, despite mounting pressure from allies
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