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 expressed his wish for South Korea to provide air defense systems to Ukraine in an interview published by the daily newspaper Chosun on May 30, stressing that it qualified as defense aid, not arms support.
When asked how he felt about South Korea providing only humanitarian aid thus far, Zelensky acknowledged he was aware that there were "several limitations" concerning South Korea's ability to supply arms to Ukraine.
"However, I believe that Korea's principles should not be applied to defense systems and power system protection equipment. Anti-aircraft systems are purely defensive equipment, not weapons. For the reconstruction of Ukraine, there must be a 'shield in the sky.' We sincerely hope that Korea will support us in this field," Zelensky added.
Aiding Ukraine in the development of its air raid alert systems was another possibility, the Ukrainian president added.
South Korea has experience in this realm due to missile threats from North Korea.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, South Korea has already provided more than $230 million in humanitarian aid. The country also recently pledged to provide Ukraine with landmine removal equipment, which will "save the lives and limbs of countless farmers and children," Zelensky said.
During the interview, Zelensky drew parallels between the hardships endured by Koreans during the Korean War of 1950-1953 and those faced by Ukrainians in the wake of the full-scale Russian invasion.
"I want to learn from the experience of a country that went through war and conflict and rose from ruins. Korea is one of those countries," Zelensky said, noting that South Korea became one of the world's leading economic powers despite the devastation caused by war.
Regarding Ukraine's post-war prospects, Zelensky said that Ukraine and South Korea could also cooperate in the security and defense industries, advanced technology and cyberspace, and green energy.

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