Peter Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
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.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), speaks during a debate with independent candidate Nicusor Dan in Bucharest, Romania, on May 8, 2025. (Alex Nicodim / Anadolu via Getty Images)
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party and frontrunner in the country's presidential race, called on Ukraine to compensate Bucharest for its military and humanitarian aid, Romanian broadcaster Digi24 reported on May 8.
Simion, who won the first round of Romania's presidential election on May 4 with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania's focus inward.
He framed his foreign policy stance as "neutrality, not escalation and not supplying weapons, but joining the policies of (U.S. President Donald) Trump."
"Ukraine needs us, we don't need Ukraine, so Ukraine must respect the national and religious rights of the half a million Romanians living in Ukraine. And we certainly want compensation for Romania's participation in the war effort so far," Simion said during the Euronews debate.
He added that the form of compensation would be subject to future negotiations.
"But for the Patriot system donated by (former Romanian President) Klaus Iohannis as national treason and other expenses that Romanians made out of their own pockets, we should get something in return," he said.
The U.S.-made Patriot air defense system, recognized for its precision in intercepting aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles, has been pivotal in shielding Ukrainian cities from Russian strikes. Ukraine received a Patriot system from Bucharest in October 2024.
The presidential election will advance to a runoff on May 18.
The current election follows the annulment of the initial first round in November 2024, which Romania's Constitutional Court invalidated over evidence of social media manipulation and foreign interference.
That round had been won by populist Calin Georgescu, who openly promoted conspiracy theories and supported Russia, calling Ukraine a "fictional state" and predicting its partition as "inevitable."
Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has signed a bilateral security agreement with Kyiv, backed sanctions against Russia, and facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain amid Russian threats in the Black Sea.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Chris York
