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.
The shooting occurred around 3:22 p.m. local time in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, a residential area in Bucha district, according to the Kyiv regional police.
The flag of Ukraine flies in front of the building of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on August 24, 2023 in Kyiv. (Andrii Nesterenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Sixty-four percent of Ukrainians believe democracy is the best system of government, according to a poll carried out by the Sociological Group Rating in partnership with Gallup International.
Ukraine ranks sixth among countries surveyed, with a significant majority supporting the statement: "Democracy may have its flaws, but it is the best system of government."
The top five positions went to Sweden, Austria, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland, all European countries.
About 44% of Ukrainians also said that the country is ruled by the will of the people, putting it in the top 10 of surveyed nations. According to the poll, 44% of Ukrainians agreed that the country is governed by the will of the people, while 36% disagreed and 17% partially agreed.
Among respondents that did not believe their country was ruled by will of the people, Russia ranked in the bottom five.
The survey was conducted in October-December 2023 as part of the End of Year 2023 project. The results were published in April 2024.
Freedom House, a U.S.-based human rights think tank, released a report on April 11 saying that Ukraine is moving successfully towards democracy amid growing anti-democratic trends in the region.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
Elsa Court
