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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
Russian oligarch and business tycoon Dmitry Pumpyansky has successfully appealed against sanctions imposed by the European Union, according to a decision by the EU General Court published on June 26.
The court in Luxembourg ordered the EU Council to remove both Dmitry Pumpyansky and his wife, Galina Pumpyanskaya, from the sanctions list, which had been implemented in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Additionally, the council was instructed to cover its own costs and pay Pumpyansky's legal expenses.
Sanctions were initially imposed on Pumpyansky, the former head of Sinara and TMK, in March 2022.
Both companies were accused of supporting Russia's war efforts. TMK is a key supplier of manufactured steel to Russian energy giant Gazprom, while Sinara is a prominent Russian investment bank, both allegedly linked to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
EU authorities said that Pumpyansky benefited from cooperation with Russian authorities and state-owned enterprises, providing "substantial income to the Russian government, which is responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine."
Galina Pumpyanskaya was also sanctioned due to her role as head of the charity foundation owned by Sinara.
Following the imposition of sanctions, Pumpyansky resigned from the boards of Sinara and TMK. He initially challenged the sanctions in court, but his lawsuit was rejected in September 2023, with the court noting his continued involvement in sectors critical to the Kremlin.
The sanctions also extended to his son, Alexander Pumpyansky, in 2022. However, Alexander successfully appealed against the sanctions in November 2023.
This latest ruling marks a significant legal victory for the Pumpyansky family amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
Timothy Ash
