(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.
U.S. lawmakers from both parties interviewed by the Voice of America came out in favor of providing Ukraine with the long-range weapons and fighter jets it needs to conduct its long-awaited counteroffensive, with some calling for the delivery timetable to be sped up.
Earlier in the week, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. plans to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16s, followed by a transfer of planes to Kyiv.
Keith Self (R-TX) said he believes that long-range artillery is more important for Ukraine than F-16s, saying he doesn't understand why the U.S. won't provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, which can be fired from HIMARS vehicles. The U.S. has expressed concern about Ukrainian strikes into Russian territory.
Madeline Dean (D-PA) said that Ukraine needs to receive all it needs as fast as possible, as long as Ukraine doesn't invade Russian territory. She called on the Biden administration to provide more aid to enable Ukraine to prevail.
Anne Wagner (R-MO) said she believes Biden's administration and some NATO allies aren't working fast enough to deliver the weapons.
Jim Costa (D-CA) also praised the decision to provide jets and said that pressure must be increased on the White House to also provide long-range missiles.
John Hoeven (R-ND) summed it up by saying that Ukraine needs to be armed not for defense but for victory.
Editorial: Arming Ukraine won’t escalate war. Reluctance to do so will
First it was the tanks, now it’s the fighter jets. As Ukraine braces for another possible major Russian offensive in the upcoming weeks, Western leaders are yet again coming up with a variety of excuses why this time, they cannot justify supplying F-16 and F-35 fighter jets to Ukraine.
The Kyiv Independent
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