(Updated: )Victory Day
News Feed
Friday, May 9
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
(Updated: )
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
News Feed
UN: 'No comparison' between drone attacks in Moscow and massive Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities
• 2 min read
There is no comparison between the recent drone attacks in Moscow and Russia's continued massive strikes on Ukrainian cities, spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the UN, Stephane Dujarric said during a daily briefing on May 30.
"Of course, we condemn any attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure anywhere those may occur. But I think it’s also important to point (out) that there is no comparison between the recent attacks in Moscow and the massive strikes that we are continuing seeing on Ukrainian cities," Dujarric told reporters.
A May 30 drone attack on Moscow damaged the exteriors and windows of several high-rise buildings. Russia swiftly accused Kyiv of orchestrating the attack, but Ukraine’s officials have denied responsibility.
The same morning, Russia launched yet another drone attack against Kyiv, targeting the city for the 17th time this month. One person was killed, and at least 13 were injured from the attacks.
American and British officials had varying responses to the drone strike, with U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly saying during a press conference that Ukraine has "the legitimate right to (defend itself) within its own borders, but it does also have the right to project force beyond its borders to undermine Russia's ability to project force into Ukraine."
A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson told CNN that "as a general matter, we do not support attacks inside of Russia."
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin threatened Kyiv with "mirror actions" for the drone attack, claiming that the drone barrage was "Kyiv's response" to an alleged Russian strike on Ukraine's military intelligence headquarters. Ukrainian authorities never reported such an attack.
Fighting smarter: Ukraine’s transformation into a military innovator
Before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 27-year-old engineer Maxim Sheremet was engaged in the manufacturing of commercial drones. He worked for the state defense company Ukroboronprom, a strategic manufacturer of weapons and military hardware in Ukraine, and later at Evolve Dynami…
Agatha Gorski
Most Popular
After Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv, Vance reposts denunciation of Zelensky
Ukraine, Europe's ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports
Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'
Journalist Roshchyna's body missing organs after Russian captivity, investigation says
Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says
Editors' Picks
How medics of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade deal with horrors of drone warfare
As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home
'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive
