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.
Oleh Kukharyk, Dmytro Danylenko, Ihor Trunov, and Ivan Semykin of Ukraine compete during Men's Kayak Four 500m Heats of the Canoe Sprint on Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympics Games on Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (Oscar J Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
The Ukrainian team of Oleh Kukharyk, Dmytro Danylenko, Ihor Trunov, and Ivan Semykin finished fourth in the 500-meter kayak quadruple sculls at the Paris Olympics.
Ukrainian kayakers participated in the 500-meter final of the Olympic Games for the first time. Prior to that, Ukraine competed in the men's 1000-meter kayak four at the 1996 Olympic Games but was eliminated in the semifinals.
At the 2024 Olympics, the Ukrainians competed as the reigning bronze medalists of the World Championships. Germany and Hungary, who are the champions and vice-champions of the World Championships, respectively, were among Ukraine's rivals in Paris.
The Ukrainian athletes completed the course in 1:21.01, behind Spain, Australia, and Germany. The gap between Germany's first place and Ukraine's fourth position was almost two seconds.
The Australian team finished second, while the Spanish kayakers were third.
On August 8, Ukraine ranks 17th in the overall medal standings of the Olympics with eight medals, including three gold, two silver, and three bronze.
Gold medals were secured by Ukrainian fencers Olga Kharlan, Alina Komashchuk, Yuliia Bakastova, and Olena Kravatska in the saber team competition, as well as by high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh and boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak, who competed in the 80 kg weight category.
Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Martin Fornusek
