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.
The aftermath of a Russian artillery strike against Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 17, 2025. (Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke for the Kyiv Independent)
Editor's note: The article contains graphic footage.
A Russian artillery attack against Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 17 killed two men aged 56 and 61 and injured five people, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.
Four of the injured victims have been hospitalized and are in serious condition, Lysak said.
The attack caused a fire to break out in the city. According to the governor, a shop, a cafe, several houses, outbuildings, cars, and a bus stop were damaged.
The aftermath of a Russian artillery strike against Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 17, 2025. (Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke for the Kyiv Independent)
The aftermath of a Russian artillery strike against Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 17, 2025. (Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke for the Kyiv Independent)
Nikopol, located on the banks of the destroyed Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is a regular target of artillery and drone strikes.
At least five people were killed and almost 70 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported in the morning of April 17.
This included three people killed, including a child, and 30 injured in an attack against the regional center of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Dnipro, on April 16.
The widespread attacks come amid continued Russian rejection of a full ceasefire agreement, previously backed by Kyiv, and follow recent intensification of strikes on civilian areas across Ukraine.
The aftermath of a Russian artillery strike against Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 17, 2025. (Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke for the Kyiv Independent)
The aftermath of a Russian artillery strike against Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 17, 2025. (Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke for the Kyiv Independent)
The aftermath of a Russian artillery strike against Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 17, 2025. (Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke for the Kyiv Independent)
Volodymyr Ivanyshyn
