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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during Zelensky's visit to Saudi Arabia on Feb. 27, 2024. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a meeting during Zelensky's visit to Saudi Arabia where they discussed the implementation of Ukraine's peace formula, among other topics, the Presidential Office reported on Feb. 27.
Saudi Arabia hosted an international summit on the peace formula in August 2023. The country has also played an important role in negotiating prisoner exchanges with Russia, allowing Ukraine to achieve a major exchange involving nearly 300 people in September 2022.
During the Feb. 27 meeting, Zelensky thanked the crown prince for "valuable advice on speeding up the process of implementing a number of (the peace formula) points," according to the Presidential Office.
Ukraine's 10-point peace formula, supported by many Western allies, includes the restoration of the country's territorial integrity, a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, and judging those responsible for war crimes.
Switzerland will host a global peace summit on Ukraine. Over 160 countries will be invited to discuss the peace formula and create a joint document on what needs to be done to restore the country's sovereignty.
Zelensky reportedly discussed the preparations for the summit with bin Salman as well as "possible steps for the real restoration of security for Ukraine, all of Europe, and all the peoples of the world."
"We are equally interested in ensuring global stability," Zelensky said after the meeting, as cited by the Presidential Office.
The leaders also focused on potential bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia in the economic and technological spheres.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Saudi Arabia to meet the crown prince in December last year during his first trip to the region since 2019.
Zelensky traveled to Saudi Arabia for the first time in May 2023, meeting the crown prince and appealing to Arab leaders to support Ukraine's peace plan.
Joschka Fischer
