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 shelling of Krasnohorivka and Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 12 killed two civilians and injured three others, the General Prosecutor's Office reported.
Russian forces launched an artillery strike against the town of Krasnohorivka in the morning. A 152 mm shell hit a house, killing an 84-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man living there, the prosecutors said.
A 70-year-old woman temporarily residing in the house suffered burns and a concussion as a result of the attack.
The same morning, Russia shelled Avdiivka, yet again hitting a private residence and injuring an 82-year-old woman and her 55-year-old daughter, according to the report.
The General Prosecutor's Office said that all the injured victims have been hospitalized.
Both Krasonohorivka and Avdiivka lie close to the front line running through the partially occupied Donetsk Oblast.
Avdiivka in particular is one of the major flashpoints of hostilities on the eastern front, suffering regular attacks by Russian forces.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
