(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.
The United States is "focusing a lot" on providing Ukraine with the air defense it needs to protect itself from Russian missile and drone attacks, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said during a press conference on May 4.
According to Kirby, Ukraine's military shot down the majority of cruise missiles Russia launched at Ukraine in the last 48 to 72 hours using U.S. and Western-provided air defense capabilities.
Russia has launched a series of mass drone and missile attacks at Ukraine over the last several days. Ukraine's Air Force has reported shooting down most of its targets.
Regarding Ukraine's anticipated spring counteroffensive, Kirby said that the U.S. does not know when Ukraine's counteroffensive will begin, but that it is confident the U.S. and its allies have done everything they can to make sure that Ukraine is ready.
According to Kirby, the U.S. has provided 98 percent of what Ukraine has asked for materially in order to go on the offensive, including armor, artillery, air defense, ammunition, and training for Ukrainian armed forces outside of the country.
"We’ve done everything we can. That doesn’t mean that we’re going to stop. You’re going to see continued support from the United States going forward," he said.
"But — but as for the actual execution of any kind of spring counteroffensive, that’s going to be up to President Zelensky."
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