(Updated: )Victory Day
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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.
Ukraine's military carried out six strikes on areas where Russian equipment and personnel were concentrated, and repelled 58 Russian attacks in Ukraine's east, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported in its morning briefing on April 10.
The attacks were repelled near Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian troops are reportedly concentrating their offensive efforts, according to the General Staff.
The briefing also said that Ukraine shot down six Russian drones of different types: three Russian made Lancet combat drones, two Zala combat drones, and one "Superkam" drone.
Over the past 24 hours, Russia launched 26 air strikes and four missiles strikes, the General Staff said.
Two S-300 missiles struck the city of Zaporizhzhia, killing two civilians, including a including a 10-year-old girl. Russian forces also fired two S-300 missiles at civilian infrastructure in Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, the briefing said.
Russia also launched 60 attacks from multiple rocket launchers on Ukrainian positions and populated civilian areas, according to the General Staff's update.
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