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 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.
The aerial view on the cable-stayed bridge in Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Jan.22, 2022.
Road repair in President Volodymyr Zelensky's Ukraine is an extremely lucrative business.
After the quality of Ukrainian roads fell to an all-time low, placing an abysmal 130th out of 137 in the World Economic Forum's 2018 ranking, comedian turned politician Zelensky, elected in 2019, made rebuilding infrastructure his top domestic priority.
Since the launch of the Big Construction program in March 2020, the government has spent $7.5 billion to rebuild over 9,200 kilometers, or 20% of all national highways, as well as some 300 bridges across the country.
Just four companies swallowed up 40% of all tenders or $3 billion, investigative publication Nashi Groshi reported on Jan. 24. These are the Odesa-based Avtomagistral-Pivden and Rostdorstroy, the Vinnytsia-based Avtostrada, and Turkish giant Onur.
The ambitious construction program has been criticized for using money that the government took from the Covid-19 relief fund, as well as possible corruption in the tenders.
For example, Avtomagistral-Pivden was the top tender winner, securing $1.5 billion. Businessman Oleksandr Boiko, who allegedly controls the company, is said to be linked to Zelensky's inner circle, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty previously reported.
Avtostrada, owned by 38-year-old businessman Maksym Shkil, won $650 million in tenders, putting the company in second place. A year prior, it was fifth. Over the past year, the company's tender victories jumped by 114%, making it the fastest grower.
Onur, which won contracts worth $640 million, stayed in third place. The most notable of Onur’s deals was a $440-million tender to finish a bridge in Zaporizhzhia, the construction of which began back in 2004 and eventually became notorious as a "monument to corruption."
The 660-meter cable-stayed bridge was finally opened on Jan. 22. It's the tallest bridge in the country, with 150-meter pylons, the height of a 50-story skyscraper.
According to the state road agency Ukravtodor, road repairs in four out of Ukraine's 24 oblasts – Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Vinnytsia and Poltava – have been fully completed.
In 2022, the government plans to spend even more on road repairs – nearly $5.2 billion.
“We will not slow down the pace,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in late December. “Each hryvnia invested in infrastructure projects generated three times higher incomes in other industries.”
Ukrainian economists have polar opinions on whether this statement is true, partly true or false.
Natalia Datskevych is a business reporter at the Kyiv Independent. Before joining the team, she worked as business reporter for the Kyiv Post. She studied economic theory at Kyiv National Economic University and holds a Ph.D in economic science.
