Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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.
A screenshot from the Ukrainska Pravda video, published on Dec. 4, 2023. (Ukrainska Pravda / YouTube)
The Prosecutor General's Office is conducting an internal investigation following the publication of a video that appears to show gifts being dropped off at the office on Dec. 1, the Prosecutor General's Office said on Dec. 5.
Dec. 1 marks the Prosecutors' Day, a workers' holiday in Ukraine.
Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda published a video on Dec. 4 showing waves of people arriving with gifts and packages at the Prosecutor General's Office over the course of the day.
The video sparked concerns about the independence of the office and the progress of Ukraine's ongoing fight against corruption.
"Appropriate measures will be taken," the Prosecutor General's Office said.
According to the video report, on the day of the holiday, Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin called on those working for the office to "remember our huge responsibility to the Ukrainian people."
One of those who visited the Prosecutor General's Office on Dec. 1 were Hryhorii Mamka, a lawmaker for the now-banned party Opposition Platform – For Life.
The party was led by Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, who was handed over to Russia in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war in September 2022.
When asked why he came to the building, Mamka said he had come for an event related to the holiday as a representative of the parliament's law enforcement committee.
Oleg Sukhov
