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.
Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakusan (right) and his Ukrainian counterpart Ihor Klymenko (middle) bring flowers to graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers buried at the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv, western Ukraine, on March 1, 2024. (Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi/Telegram)
Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakusan traveled to Lviv to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Ihor Klymenko and sign a declaration on directions of cooperation between their departments, Klymenko said on March 1.
Czechia has been one of Ukraine’s staunch supporters, providing the country with military, financial, and humanitarian aid to help it resist Russia’s full-scale invasion.
During the meeting, Klymenko thanked Rakusan for his country’s support in hosting Ukrainian refugees and other assistance.
"We will continue to implement EU and NATO standards and principles into the activities of Ukraine’s Interior Ministry as well as exchange experiences in the fields of hybrid threats and cyber security. The Czech side will contribute to the restoration of infrastructure facilities destroyed by Russia’s invasion," Klymenko said on Telegram.
Rakusan published on X (formerly Twitter) a video address from the cemetery, saying that "this is what the sad toll for our safety looks like."
"The defenders of freedom, not only in Ukraine but also in the rest of Europe, lie on it (the cemetery). Unfortunately, it will continue to be filled with young people until Ukraine expels the Russian occupiers from its country," added Rakusan.
"When it will happen depends on us and our help. I am glad that from the beginning, we have been at the forefront of those who understand and help."
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Daria Shulzhenko
