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.
The opening ceremony of the Sea Breeze 23-3 "Storm Breeze" exercises in Romania, Sept. 11, 2023. (Source: Romanian Navy)
Ukrainian military personnel take part in the Sea Breeze multinational naval exercises, launchedon Sept. 11 and organized by Romania and the U.S.
The Sea Breeze 23.3 "Storm Breeze" drills are scheduled to last until Sept. 15 and will also involve forces of Bulgaria, France, the U.K., and Turkey. They will be conducted under the leadership of the Romanian Navy.
The main task of the exercises is to strengthen the interoperability in the removal of explosives, namely drifting sea mines, in order to ensure freedom of navigation.
The Sea Breeze 23-3 takes place amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea region. Since its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia has escalated its strikes against Ukraine's ports, grain stockpiles, and agricultural infrastructure, often in the vicinity of Romania's borders.
Following a drone strike against the Ukrainian Danube port of Izmail earlier this month, Bucharest confirmed that what appeared to be fragments of a drone have been found on Romanian soil.
NATO reacted that it saw no indication of a deliberate attack from the Russian side against Romania but said it would keep monitoring the situation.
Heavy mining is yet another factor destabilizing the security situation in the Black Sea region.
Security expert and retired naval officer Pavlo Lakiichuk said in a comment for Krym.Realii that the danger posed by the sea mines has risen considerably in the Black Sea since the start of the full-scale invasion, particularly in the northwestern region.
Liquidation of mines, Lakiichuk added, is one of the areas where NATO can demonstrate how it can contribute to Ukraine's and international security without crossing any potential red lines with Russia.
The drills will involve high-speed boats, a minesweeper, reconnaissance aircraft, marines, and other military equipment and personnel.
Sea Breeze exercises have been traditionally held on Ukrainian territory and organized by Ukraine and the U.S. since 1997.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
