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.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on April 5 that they had arrested two foreigners who allegedly worked for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in Odesa.
The SBU claimed the suspects were helping to prepare a Russian missile strike on Ukraine's Armed Forces regional headquarters in Odesa Oblast.
The nationality of the suspects is unclear. However, the SBU reported that the two are from "one of the countries in the Southern Caucasus." These are either Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Georgia.
The FSB allegedly tasked the suspects with reconnaissance of the locations where Ukrainian troops were based to pinpoint their coordinates on Google Maps. The SBU said the two gathered "maximum information" about the personnel stationed there, military equipment, and operational characteristics.
"In case of receiving intelligence, the occupiers planned to carry out a series of targeted missile and drone strikes on military infrastructure and combat positions of Ukraine's Armed Forces," the SBU said in a statement.
According to the SBU, the suspects also established a recruitment center for the informants in Odesa under cover of the enterprise providing assistance for legalizing foreign citizens.
Meanwhile, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on April 5 that suspects allegedly tracked air defense and Ukrainian forces locations in Odesa and shared the intelligence with the FSB.
If proven guilty, they face up to 12 years in prison.
As a reward for their work for the FSB, the suspects were eyeing "positions" in the occupation administration in case Russian forces managed to occupy Odesa. One suspect sought to become the head of the regional branch of the FSB, while the other aspired to lead the city council, according to the prosecutors.
Bloomberg reported on Feb. 29 that Russian President Vladimir Putin still hoped to seize major Ukrainian cities, such as Kyiv and Odesa, and that Russia could breach Ukraine's defenses in the summer if allies do not provide more ammunition.
Abbey Fenbert
