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.
The shooting occurred around 3:22 p.m. local time in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, a residential area in Bucha district, according to the Kyiv regional police.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a press conference on Nov. 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing the Democratic Party, has scheduled the first procedural vote on President Joe Biden's $106 billion funding request, including $61 billion for Ukraine, for later this week, The Hill reported on Dec. 5.
The White House has warned that support for Ukraine from the U.S., its leading military donor, may run out by the end of the year if Congress does not take action.
The vote set up for Dec. 6 is expected to fail as Republicans insist on including a border security component, which has become a sticking point in negotiations between the two parties.
Democrats complain that the Republican Party's condition for approving the Ukraine aid bill takes a too draconian stance toward border security and asylum seekers.
"Right now, it seems pretty clear that we're making pretty big compromises and concessions. And Republicans aren't willing to meet us anywhere close to the middle," said Senator Chris Murphy, sitting for the Democrats.
Despite the pessimism, there appears to be a will among both parties to continue the negotiations. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, insisted that Republicans are "still at the table."
Some believe even a failed vote might nudge the process forward by creating a sense of urgency.
An unnamed Democratic senator toldPolitico that "deadlines and emergencies and last minute snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory seems to be par for the course" of negotiations like these.
In a bid to convince senators of the vote's importance, Schumer announced that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky would address Congress' upper chamber later on Dec. 5.
Zelensky's office previously dispatched a delegation to the U.S. to meet and build relationships with Republican Party leaders ahead of the president's video appearance.
Sonya Bandouil
