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.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
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.
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.
The Spasskaya Tower is seen through metal barriers at Moscow's Red Square on June 24, 2023. Russia's President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2023 said an armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a "stab in the back." (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia's Federal Security Service said it had closed the criminal case over Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's armed rebellion on June 27, as cited by Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the transfer of Wagner Group's military equipment to the units of Russia's regular army, the Russian Defense Ministry said, according to the news outlet.
Prigozhin launched a "march for justice" against Russian military leaders on June 23 after a missile attack allegedly targeted Wagner troops in Ukraine. He abruptly ended the rebellion less than 24 hours after its start following negotiations with Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Under the Lukashenko-mediated deal, the Kremlin pledged to close the case against the mercenary boss who was set to leave for Belarus.
Moscow claimed that the Wagner mercenaries who hadn't participated in the rebellion would not be prosecuted if they signed contracts with the Defense Ministry.
On the morning of June 27, the Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported that Prigozhin's business jet had landed at the Machulishchy military airfield near Minsk.
Prigozhin's press service hasn't yet confirmed his arrival in Belarus.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, the details of the deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin are unclear in public sources beyond speculation and gossip.
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Francis Farrell
