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.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (L) is welcomed by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (2R) upon arriving at a train station in Kyiv on Feb. 24, 2025, to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion in Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain will deliver a new 1 billion euro ($1.04 billion) military aid package to Ukraine in 2025, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Feb. 24 during the Support Ukraine summit in Kyiv.
Sanchez announced the new military aid during his visit to Kyiv on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"We are ready to continue to provide military assistance and equipment with even more determination than we have in the past. I am ready to announce a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) in 2025," Sanchez said.
The new package will be provided as part of a 10-year bilateral security agreement signed between Ukraine and Spain in May 2024. Last year, Madrid also provided over 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, according to the Spanish government's statement.
Speaking in Kyiv, Sanchez said that Spain will work with Ukraine on its post-war recovery, encourage its companies to participate in Ukraine's projects and programs, and address the needs of the Ukrainian diaspora.
"We must ensure that Ukraine joins the EU soon. Ukraine's accession to the EU is the biggest victory for the Ukrainian people," he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, leaders of the Baltic States, Spain, and Canada, as well as leaders of Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, arrived in Kyiv for the international summit on the morning of Feb. 24, the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Nordic countries announced new humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine the same day.
Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Kateryna Hodunova
