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 thanked Ukraine’s air defense forces and first responders following Russia’s attack on Kyiv overnight on May 28.
“The Air Defense Forces of Ukraine. You heard the air raid alarm differently than most people,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. “You look up to destroy enemy missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and drones. Every time you shoot down enemy drones and missiles, lives are saved.”
He added: “Our rescuers who are involved in eliminating the consequences of enemy strikes. You do your best to save others. You are our heroes!”
In the early hours of May 28, Russia conducted yet another aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting its capital. The Kyiv Military Administration said the assault was the largest drone attack on Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Kyiv’s air defense shot down over 40 Russian drones launched at the capital. The administration said they were mainly Iranian-made Shahed drones, noting the attack occurred in several waves.
According to local authorities, one person was killed and at least one was injured as a result of debris from the downed drones.
The first explosions in the capital were reported after 1 a.m. local time.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks in Kherson, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts killed one person and injured eight over the past day. Russian kamikaze drone attacks in Kharkiv Oblast also killed two people.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
