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.
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.
Emergency workers evacuate residents from an apartment building in Zhmerynka, Vinnytsia Oblast, after a Russian attack overnight on May 26. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Telegram)
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russian forces attacked the town of Zhmerynka in Vinnytsia Oblast in the early hours of May 25, hitting residential buildings and injuring three people, local authorities reported.
The attack struck an apartment building in Zhmerynka, Governor Serhii Borzov said at 4:23 a.m. local time.
Three people were injured and residents are being evacuated. Emergency services are at work on site, he said.
The injured victims were examined by doctors and did not require hospitalization, Borzov reported.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine later reported that falling drone debris damaged three four-story residential buildings, seven homes, and six cars. Forty people were evacuated from the damaged units.
The Air Force announced an aerial alert throughout the country, including the far-western oblasts, overnight on May 26 due to the threat of Russian missiles, drones, and Tu-95MS bombers.
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.
Chris York
