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.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba meets with UK representatives in London on Dec. 8, 2021. (Dmytro Kuleba/Twitter)
The United Kingdom will provide an additional $1.3 billion (£1 billion) of export loan financing to projects in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced over Twitter on Dec. 8.
The money, which will be disbursed through the UK Export Finance agency (UKEF), will be assigned in addition to the $3.3 billion (£2.5 billion) that Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed on in October 2020, bringing the total available funds to $4.6 billion (£3.5 billion).
UKEF provides affordable loans worldwide to companies wishing to use UK goods or services. To qualify for financing, a project must spend at least 20% of the total loan capital on imported British products. The agency was expanded after the UK's departure from the European Union in January 2020 in order to encourage trade outside the bloc.
UKEF also has the ability to guarantee the investments of British exporters looking to do business in Ukraine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba met with UK representatives on Dec. 8 and discussed topics including trade, energy security, defense, and education.
“Concluded our preparatory meeting of the UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue in London. Grateful for decisions proving that Kyiv and London are close allies. Additionally allocated resources will enable projects in infrastructure, healthcare and clean energy,” Kuleba tweeted about the extra funding.
The UK also supported Ukraine amid the growing threat of Russia's large-scale military action. According to Ukrainian and Western intelligence, Russia has amassed 94,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and in the occupied territories.
The joint statement signed by Kuleba and Elizabeth Truss, UK Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs, condemned Russia's actions and promised to continue the UK's support of Ukraine in protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Truss did not answer whether the UK will deploy troops to support Ukraine but insisted that the UK will stand with Ukraine.
"We are also discussing with our NATO allies other measures such as economic measures and diplomatic measures that can be taken, but we are very clear that we are standing with Ukraine in the face of this aggression."
Sergiy Slipchenko is a staff writer at the Kyiv Independent. He studied at York University in Toronto, Canada and worked as a reporter at the Kyiv Post.
