Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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 seal of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seen outside of a headquarters building in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2021. Photo for illustrative purposes. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine is expecting increased pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to further devalue its currency, cut interest rates, and raise taxes, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 4, citing unnamed officials.
The fifth round of negotiations with Ukraine on revisions of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program was set to begin on Sept. 4, the IMF said. The EFF is a four-year funding agreement that will allow Ukraine to access $15.6 billion in financial aid in regular installments.
The fourth round of financing through the EFF program was approved in June, which resulted in the disbursement of $2.2 billion.
Unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations told Bloomberg that the IMF is planning to pressure Ukraine to take measures to shore up gaps in the country's budget so that it can continue to receive IMF funding. If the fifth review is approved, Ukraine could receive an additional $1.1 billion disbursement.
At the same time, sources said Ukraine's National Bank is hesitant to further devalue the currency, which could hinder the bank's ability to ensure price stability. The hryvnia hit a historic low of Hr 41.04 per dollar in July.
The prospect of raising taxes, such as a proposal to increase the value-added tax from the current level of 20%, could prove to be politically unpopular.
Sources told Bloomberg that the IMF has criticized previous tax increases as being "too lenient."
Nate Ostiller
