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.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Volodymyr Zelensky take part in a signing ceremony marking a 100-year partnership at Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv. Jan. 16, 2025. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will tell U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine must be “at the heart” of any peace negotiations, the Prime Minister’s Office reported on Feb. 22.
In the leadup to the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Starmer reiterated the U.K.’s support for Ukraine and its commitment to a “just and enduring” peace in a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The call came a day after Trump said that Zelensky was not important in negotiations having previously labeled the Ukrainian leader a “dictator.” Trump’s rhetoric and decision-making have alarmed allies, particularly after Washington held direct talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18 without Ukraine and Europe.
Starmer will visit Washington D.C. in the coming week where he will meet Trump and emphasize that Kyiv “must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war.” Protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty is “essential” to prevent further Russian aggression, the Prime Minister’s Office added.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to negotiate a swift end to the full-scale war. On Feb. 22, the White House announced that a deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine could be reached as early as this week.
Trump previously said he would "probably" meet Putin before the end of February. Arrangements for an in-person meeting between the two leaders are already underway, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed on Feb. 22.
With U.S. and Russian delegations already meeting in Saudi Arabia, Europe is pushing not to be sidelined from the process. Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said on Feb. 15 that Europe will not be directly involved in negotiations, but its interests will be considered.
Starmer has ramped up vocal support for Kyiv in the last weeks and even said that British peacekeeping troops could be deployed to Ukraine. He also called on Trump to provide American military backing for a proposed European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, arguing that only a U.S. security guarantee can deter Russia from launching further aggression.
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Olena Goncharova
