Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
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.
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.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace on April 18, 2025, in Rome, Italy. (Kenny Holston / Getty Images)
The United States remains hopeful that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine can be brought to an end, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said during a visit to Italy on April 18, Reuters reported.
"I want to update the prime minister (Giorgia Meloni) on some of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine... even in the past 24 hours, we think we have some interesting things to report on," Vance told reporters, without providing details.
"Since there are the negotiations, I won't prejudge them, but we do feel optimistic that we can hopefully bring this war, this very brutal war, to a close."
Vance's comments came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would abandon its diplomatic push in the coming days unless Russia signals readiness to engage.
Speaking after meetings with European and Ukrainian officials in Paris, Rubio emphasized that while U.S. President Donald Trump remains interested in reaching a deal, he has "other priorities" if no agreement appears possible.
The U.S. president began his term promising a ceasefire within 24 hours of taking office, later extending the timeline to 100 days.
During a meeting in Paris on April 17, U.S. officials told their European counterparts they aim to secure a full ceasefire within weeks, according to Bloomberg. That meeting included Ukrainian officials and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Kyiv accepted an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposal during U.S.-led talks in Jeddah on March 11. Moscow rejected the deal unless it included conditions undermining Ukraine's defense capabilities, including a full halt on military aid.
The Kremlin also demanded a ban on Ukraine's NATO membership, and full Russian control over occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts — conditions Kyiv has repeatedly said are unacceptable.
The White House has grown frustrated over the lack of progress. Russia continues its offensive operations, and a limited truce on strikes targeting energy infrastructure has failed to hold.
Trump has increasingly blamed both Ukraine and Russia for failing to reach a deal and has publicly called the war "Biden's war," placing responsibility on his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine has maintained that any peace deal must include security guarantees and has said it would never recognize the Russian occupation of its sovereign territory.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Andrea Januta
