The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
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 delivers a speech on Aug. 4, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidency / Handout / Anadolu via Getty Images)
A major priority for Kyiv in recent ceasefire negotiations with the United States in Saudi Arabia involved the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Eurovision News on March 26.
U.S. representatives held separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Riyadh March 23-25, after which Russia and Ukraine agreed to implement a partial ceasefire in the Black Sea and temporarily halt strikes against energy infrastructure.
"There was also one very important point," Zelensky said in the interview.
"It somehow disappeared from the media field. Although I think that this is the number one thing we were going for. This is an exchange for the return of our children, whom the Russians stole."
In a statement issued following talks with Ukraine, the U.S. said it remains "committed" to returning forcibly kidnapped Ukrainian children, as well as exchanging prisoners of war and releasing civilian detainees.
"And we agreed that the U.S. would help us. And an exchange of military and civilian prisoners. That was the agenda," Zelensky said.
Zelensky acknowledged the limitiations of the partial ceasefire and reiterated Kyiv's willingness to accept a complete cessation of hostilities, if Russia also agrees.
"Everything that brings us closer to any ceasefire brings us closer to peace, fewer losses," he said.
"We wanted unconditional ceasefire at first, but the Russians did not want an unconditional ceasefire and are setting conditions again."
Ukraine already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv was ready to take such a step if Russia also agreed to the terms. Russia has thus far refused.
According to White House statements issued after the latest Riyadh talks, all parties on March 25 agreed "to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea."
All parties also agreed to "develop measures for implementing" an agreed-upon ban on striking energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine.
Ahead of the U.S.-Russia negotiations in Riyadh, U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Walz said that returning kidnapped Ukrainian children will be one of several "confidence building measures" implemented in ongoing peace talks.
At least 19,500 Ukrainian children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and about 1,200 have been brought home, according to the Ukrainian government's Children of War database.
Ukrainian officials have reportedly named the return of these children among their key conditions for any future peace agreement with Russia.
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.
Andrea Januta
