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.
Russian war criminal Igor Girkin's arrest is likely to "infuriate" members of Russia's military blogger community and elements within Russia's military, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote in its July 22 intelligence update.
This is due to the fact that they "largely see Girkin as an astute military analyst and patriot," the U.K. Defense Ministry explained.
Girkin was arrested in Russia on July 21. The court ordered that he be kept at a pre-trial detention facility until Sept. 18. He has been charged with inciting "extremist activity."
Girkin, who also goes by Igor Strelkov, is a former officer of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
In April 2014, Girkin orchestrated the capture of Sloviansk, a city located in Donetsk Oblast, which precipitated Russia's war in the Donbas region. Girkin later declared in an interview that he played a pivotal role in "pulling the trigger" on Russia's war against Ukraine.
He also spent time on the front line in 2022, the U.K. Defense Ministry noted.
Girkin was found guilty by the Hague court after they tried him and two others in absentia for their roles in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, which killed all 298 people on board.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has often criticized the Kremlin for mishandling the war in Ukraine and not "doing enough." His criticism of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in particular has recently intensified.
The U.K. Defense Ministry wrote that this growing criticism was likely prompted by Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's armed rebellion, in late June.
While Girkin is "no ally of the Wagner Group," it is likely that he wanted to "push the limits of public criticism" following the Wagner rebellion, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote.
"The taboo against unmasked criticism of the Putin regime has been significantly weakened," the U.K. Defense Ministry added.
Oleg Sukhov
