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.
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.
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.
Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 7 that Ukraine will expand sanctions against Russian citizens and those affiliated with Moscow “who justify the war (against Ukraine), help to wage it, or glorify the terrorist state.”
He added that “everyone whose voice sounds in unison with the roar of Russian artillery will be isolated from the civilized world.”
Earlier on Jan. 7, Zelensky issued a decree sanctioning 119 Russian and pro-Russian Ukrainian public figures, putting into effect a decision by the National Security and Defense Council. The list covers many people who support Russia’s war against Ukraine, ranging from TV pundits to athletes and singers.
In his address, Zelensky slammed Russia for breaking the Kremlin’s supposed 36-hour ceasefire over Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 6 and 7.
“It has been confirmed once again that only the expulsion of the Russian occupiers from Ukrainian land and the elimination of any opportunities for Russia to put pressure on Ukraine and the whole of Europe will mean the restoration of a ceasefire, security, and peace,” he said.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Russian troops have continued to attack Ukrainian military positions and residential areas despite the so-called “Christmas truce” ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky also praised the first Christmas service of the independent Church of Ukraine at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine’s main Orthodox monastery.
“It is very important that a sincere prayer for Ukraine was and will continue to be heard in the Lavra today and that no one will make Ukrainian foreign in the Lavra,” Zelensky said. “Ukrainian independence must be strong in all its elements and will be so.”
Previously the entire Lavra was controlled by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, an affiliate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
