Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
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.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
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.
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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky received a lasting standing ovation as he was about to deliver a historic address before U.S. Congress late on Dec. 21. “It is too much for me,” he said with a smile before proceeding with his remarks. Zelensky spoke in English for roughly 25 minutes and reminded the American lawmakers that mere hours before his U.S. trip — the first overseas one since the full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24 — he was at the front line in Donetsk Oblast's Bakhmut.
The city remains the "hottest point" out of the entire 1,300-kilometer front line as Russian forces relentlessly try to break Ukraine's defenses.
"Every inch of that land is soaked in blood," Zelensky said. "But Ukrainian Donbas stands. Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender." Zelensky added that Ukraine needs more Western support to win the war: "We have artillery, yes. Thank you. Is it enough? Honestly, not really to ensure that Bakhmut is not just a stronghold that holds back the Russian army but for the Russian Army to pull out completely. More cannons and shells are needed. Just like the battle of Saratoga, the fight for Bakhmut will change the trajectory of our war for independence and freedom."
Zelensky later presented Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a Ukrainian flag that Ukrainian soldiers had signed in besieged Bakhmut. Pelosi gave Zelensky an American flag that had flown over the Capitol earlier in the day.
Zelensky's tailored speech invoked some of America’s defining moments on the battlefield as he rallied to secure continued congressional support for Ukraine against the war with Russia, mentioning WWII’s Battle of the Bulge and the U.S. Revolutionary War.
“We Ukrainians will also go through our war of independence with dignity and success,” Zelensky said. “We'll celebrate Christmas. And even if there is no electricity, the light of our faith in ourselves will not be put out. If Russian missiles attack us, we'll do our best to protect ourselves. If they attack us with Iranian drones and our people have to go to bomb shelters on Christmas Eve, Ukrainians will still sit down at the holiday table and cheer up each other."
Zelensky added that Ukraine handles U.S. aid “in the most responsible way,” an apparent nod to growing concerns about weapons handling in Ukraine, long known to be riddled with corruption.
He reiterated the importance of allied support to Ukraine —now in its tenth month of a full-fledged war.
"Our two nations are allies in this battle. And next year will be our turning point; I know it. The point when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom, the freedom of people who stand for their values," he said as Congress awarded him another round of applause. He added that "Ukraine never asked the American soldiers to fight on our land instead of us."
"I assure you that Ukrainian soldiers can perfectly operate American tanks... and planes themselves," Zelensky said. This summer, the U.S. was exploring whether it can send US-made fighter jets to Ukraine, something the Ukrainian military has been requesting from allies for quite some time. No decision on providing Ukraine with modern combat aircraft has been made.
Zelensky reiterated that his speech was intended not only for lawmakers but for all Americans: "In all states, cities and communities, all those who value freedom and justice, who cherish it as strongly as we, Ukrainians, in all our cities in each and every family, I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in each American heart."
Below are some of the key quotes from the president's speech:
"Against all odds and scenarios and doom and gloom, Ukraine didn't fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking. And it gives me a good reason to share with you our first joint victory: we defeated Russia in the battle for the minds of the world. We have no fear, nor should anyone in the world have it, Ukrainians gained this victory, and it gives us courage which inspires the entire world. Americans gained this victory, and that's why you have succeeded in uniting the global community to protect freedom and international law. Europeans gained this victory and that's why Europe is stronger and more independent than ever. The Russian tyranny has lost control over us. And it will never influence our minds again."
"The Russians will stand a chance to be free only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. Yet the battle continues, and we have to defeat the Kremlin on the battlefield. This battle is not only for the territory, for this or another part of Europe. The battle is not only for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren. It will define whether it will be a democracy for Americans and Ukrainians for all."
"This battle cannot be frozen or postponed. It cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection. From the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America and from Africa to Australia the world is too interconnected and interdependent to allow someone to stay aside and at the same time feel safe when such a battle continues.
"If your Patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, it will let Ukrainian patriots work to the full to defend our freedom. When Russia cannot reach our cities with their artillery, it tries to destroy them with missile attacks. more than that, Russia found an ally in this genocidal policy: Iran. It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies, if we do not stop them now. We must do it."
"Your money is not charity. It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way."
"Russia could stop its aggression if it wanted to, but you can speed up our victory. I know it. And it will prove to any potential aggressor that noone can succeed in breaking national borders."
"It would be naive to wait for steps toward peace from Russia, which enjoys being a terrorist state. Russians are still poisoned by the Kremlin: the restoration of international legal order is our joint task. We need peace, yes. Ukraine has already offered proposals which I just discussed with President (Joe) Biden our peace formula: ten points which should and must be implemented for our joint security to be guaranteed for decades ahead and a summit which can be held. I'm glad to stress that President Biden supported our peace initiative today."
"We don't have to know everyone's wish as we know that all of us, millions of Ukrainians, wish the same. Victory. Only victory."
Olena Goncharova is the Head of North America desk at The Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a development manager and Canadian correspondent. She first joined the Kyiv Post, Ukraine's oldest English-language newspaper, as a staff writer in January 2012 and became the newspaper’s Canadian correspondent in June 2018. She is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Olena has a master’s degree in publishing and editing from the Institute of Journalism in Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. Olena was a 2016 Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellow who worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for six months. The program is administered by the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia.
