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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech on the stand in front of the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine, congratulating the Ukrainian military on Aug. 4, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted on April 17 to U.S. President Donald Trump’s characterization of a deadly Russian missile strike on Sumy as a “mistake,” pointing to the deliberate nature of the strike that killed at least 35 civilians.
Zelensky made the comment after being asked about Trump’s remarks during a press conference in Kyiv.
“Excuse me, but this is a murder. This strike went to the (city) center, it did not go to the front line,” he said. “We cannot find excuses when you hit the city center with missiles, not (with) just one (missile), and if it's not just one (missile), it's not a mistake.”
Russia launched two ballistic missiles at Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday on April 13, killing at least 35 people, including two children, and injuring at least 117 others. The strike, which hit civilian infrastructure in the city center, was one of the deadliest in recent months. Trump called the missile strike on Sumy “terrible,” but suggested it was a “mistake.”
Zelensky also reacted to the comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who publicly condemned the strike. “There was a reaction from Secretary of State Rubio, and his reaction was clear. He condemned it, and we are grateful for this reaction,” Zelensky said.
“More serious condemnation came from many of our other partners who spoke clearly about who the Russians are after such actions.”
Zelensky also noted what he described as a “softer” tone from the U.S. administration and broader political establishment toward Russia. “I believe this softer reaction reflects a continuation of the current U.S. policy. They seem to think that this kind of diplomacy will help end the war,” he said. “That’s how I interpret it.”
The U.S. informed fellow G7 members that it would not support a joint statement condemning Russia’s missile strike on Sumy, Bloomberg reported on April 15, citing unnamed sources.
The Trump administration had also earlier blocked a proposed G7 statement marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion and vetoed a plan to establish a task force to monitor Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. In addition, Washington declined to back resolutions condemning Russian aggression at the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
While Trump has pledged to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, his peace effort has stalled as Moscow continues to reject the proposed 30-day complete truce supported by both the U.S. and Ukraine. So far, Trump has not increased pressure on Moscow.
Anna Fratsyvir is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent, with a background in broadcast journalism and international affairs. Previously, she worked as a TV journalist at Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne, covering global politics and international developments. Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in International Communications from Taras Shevchenko National University and is currently an MA candidate in International Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Andrea Januta
