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.
Demining supplies donated by the U.S. on display on Feb. 13, 2024. (U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink / X)
The United States donated over one million dollars in demining equipment to Ukraine's State Special Transport Service on Feb. 13, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on X.
"More than a third of Ukraine is mined as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion," Brink said. "Today’s donation of more than $1 million will allow Ukraine to deploy more demining teams to accelerate Ukraine’s recovery."
Ambassador Brink also reportedly met with Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko to discuss further financial support for Ukraine.
Ukraine has become one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in October that mines threaten the lives of around six million Ukrainians.
Ukraine's Education Ministry announced in August 2023 that it would introduce mine safety courses for Ukrainian schoolchildren as a mandatory part of the curriculum.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
