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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
An exhibition of Ukrainian art was installed in Vilnius at the pedestrian crossing near the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Center, the Baltic states' largest exhibition center and host of the upcoming NATO summit.
The art installation was put up ahead of the summit, which will take place in Vilnius on July 11-12.
The photographic installation titled "This is Ukraine," depicts the reality of war, including images of children playing in a war-torn landscape, residents sheltering from attacks, and soldiers who lost their legs in battle.
Lithuanian artist Lina Slipaviciute, curator of the exhibition, said that she hopes world leaders who attend the NATO summit will be reminded of what Ukrainians go through every day when they view the works. “There can’t be too many mentions of Ukraine,” she said.
The photos show scenes from all across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Izium, Irpin, Chernihiv, and other war-torn cities. Ukrainian photographers Elena Tita, Volodymyr Petrov and Oleg Petrasiuk shot all the images on display.
Volodymyr Petrov and Oleg Petrasiuk were formerly photographers with the Kyiv Independent.
"It was difficult to collect photos because many people, including photographers, are at war and engaged in work necessary for survival. Special thanks to all the photographers who agreed to share their work, because without them this exhibition simply wouldn't exist," one artist said.
The exhibition will be on display for one month.
Daria Shulzhenko
