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 forces launched multiple waves of drones and missiles at Ukraine's southern regions overnight on March 31, damaging infrastructure in Odesa and Kherson oblasts, Ukraine's Southern Operational Command reported.
The strikes damaged energy infrastructure in Odesa Oblast and an agricultural facility in Kherson Oblast.
Air defense units shot down eight Shahed drones in Odesa Oblast during the night, authorities said. Debris from falling drones started a fire at a local power facility, leading to blackouts in the area.
The fire has been extinguished and no people were injured, the military said.
Russian forces fired ballistic missiles and a guided missile at Kherson Oblast, striking an agricultural enterprise. No casualties were reported.
The Air Force warned overnight that an aerial alert was in effect for all Ukraine, including the far-western oblasts. Russia reportedly launched Tu-95 bombers from Saratov Oblast.
Ukraine's southern regions are frequent targets of Russian attacks. A missile strike on Odesa on March 29 injured at least five people, including three children. Russia has also intensified attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure in recent weeks.
