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.
Photo for illustrative purposes. President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers an end-of-year press conference in Kyiv on Dec. 19, 2023. (Photo by Sergei Supinsky/ AFP)
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 15 he had arrived in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and meet with top Swiss officials.
Zelensky's visit comes a day after national security advisors from 80 countries gathered in Davos for the fourth meeting on Ukraine's peace formula in preparations for the Global Peace Summit.
The Ukrainian president is scheduled to meet his Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd, heads of both chambers of the Swiss parliament, and heads of parties and factions in Bern.
According to Zelensky, their talks will focus on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, sanctions against Russia and the search for ways to use frozen Russian assets, cooperation on humanitarian demining, financial support, and reconstruction of Ukraine.
"I will thank (them) for principled support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. I believe that Switzerland's participation in the Peace Formula and its relevant experience will help bring a just peace based on our vision," he said on X (formerly Twitter).
While joining international sanctions against Russia and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Switzerland refused to send direct military aid to Kyiv, citing its long-standing neutrality policy.
In Davos, Zelensky will hold bilateral meetings with EU and NATO officials "to support the dynamics" of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. At the WEF, he will also talk with other state leaders and business representatives "to strengthen Ukraine's defense and economic stability."
The WEF is a Switzerland-based organization that gathers the world's government, business, and civil society leaders "to shape global, regional, and industry agendas." This year, the meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15-19.
The Swiss Tages-Anzeiger newspaper first reported on Zelensky's plans to travel to Switzerland on Jan. 8, citing undisclosed sources. Zelensky's foreign visits are often unannounced until the last moment for security reasons.
According to Tages-Anzeiger, Zelensky plans to stay in Switzerland for at least two days. He didn't specify in his social media post how many days his visit would last.
Andrew Kosenko
