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.
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly leaves 10 Downing Street after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting in London, United Kingdom, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
The United Kingdom unveiled a fresh package of sanctions against Russia on May 19, targeting its energy, metal, transport, and military technology industries.
The measures also aim at companies involved in the theft of Ukraine’s grain.
In total, London’s sanctions target 86 individuals and entities.
“Through today’s new sanctions we are increasing the economic pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin – making it harder for him to wage his illegal war and inflict untold suffering on innocent Ukrainians,” British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement.
Some of the sanctions target Russia’s military capabilities more directly, focusing on individuals and entities that supply Moscow’s Armed Forces and the Wagner mercenary group with equipment.
The measures are also designed to curb Russia’s ability to avoid sanctions, including all new “emerging forms of circumvention.”
The UK government announced the package shortly after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced restrictions on Russia’s diamond and metal exports during the G7 summit in Japan.
The summit kicked off on May 19. The bloc’s leaders are expected to announce new joint sanctions against Russia, among others targeting its trade with diamonds and the circumvention of sanctions.
The United States announced it will also be rolling out “a substantial package of its own.”
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Japan this week to join the G7 leaders in person. Japanese officials earlier said that Zelensky would join virtually.
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Francis Farrell
