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.
Members of the Wagner Group sit atop a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don on June 24, 2023. (Photo: Roman Romokhov/AFP via Getty Images)
Wagner Group's interim arrangements with the Russian state are taking shape, according to the latest intelligence update from the U.K. Defense Ministry published on July 16.
As of July 15, "at least a small contingent" of Wagner fighters arrived at a camp in Belarus, days after the army for hire handed over 2,000 pieces of military equipment, including tanks, to the Russian state, the ministry said.
Wagner-linked social media groups resumed their activity, highlighting its activities in Africa. British intelligence believes Moscow will accept Wagner Group's desire to maintain an extensive presence in African countries.
Belarus said it had reached an agreement for Wagner Group to train its soldiers. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko helped broker a deal after Wagner's one-day rebellion on June 24, which Russian dictator Vladimir Putin called treachery.
The mutiny was launched after Wagner boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin claimed that Russian army attacked his mercenaries, following months of his publicized spats with the Russian Defense Ministry.
Wagner fighters had captured Rostov-on-Don and were driving on Moscow, shooting down Russian aircraft that came to interdict. But Prigozhin called off the assault, saying he did not want to spill Russian blood. He was allowed to depart to Belarus.
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
Oleg Sukhov
