The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping enter the hall during their meeting at the the Kremlin on May 8, 2025 in Moscow, Russia. President Putin welcomed Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Moscow for a four-day visit centred around Russia’s ‘Victory Day’ celebrations, commemorating the end of the World War II. (Contributor/Getty Images)
Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began. Despite the Kremlin’s announcement of a May 8–11 truce, heavy fighting continued in multiple regions throughout the day.
Zelensky, Trump discuss ceasefire, pressure on Russia in phone call. 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.
EU provides Ukraine with $1 billion tranche under G7 loan covered by Russian assets. This is the fourth such tranche from the bloc, which is secured by proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
US ready to ‘walk away’ if Russia negotiates in bad faith, Vance says. 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.
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Trump calls for ‘unconditional ceasefire,’ committed to ‘securing peace’ between Ukraine, Russia. 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.”
Ukraine’s parliament ratifies minerals deal between Washington, Kyiv. The agreement, signed on April 30, establishes a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington and grants the U.S. special access to projects developing Ukraine’s natural resources.
US Cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV. 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.
Majority of Ukrainians unwilling to trade territory or Western path for peace, poll shows. 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.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Over 100 clashes reported on the front line since Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire began
Ukrainian forces faced 117 combat clashes across the front line on the first day of Russia’s self-declared Victory Day “humanitarian ceasefire,” the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 8.
Photo: Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images
‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham
“There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, told the Kyiv Independent.
Photo: Jose Colon / Anadolu via Getty Images
‘I’m not fine’ — Intimate scenes of life during war (Photos)
After almost three years in wartime Kyiv, Ukrainian documentary photographer and photojournalist Elena Kalinichenko turned her camera toward the private scenes of daily life as a way of coping with her reality.
Photo: Elena Kalinichenko / The Kyiv Independent
‘Clearly, Ukraine is holding cards’ — economist on why US pressure won’t force Kyiv to concede
If Ukraine’s military resistance to Russia’s full-scale invasion stunned the world, its economic resilience in the face of a larger, better-equipped enemy is a lesser-known story of the war.
Photo: Julien De Rosa / AFP via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian attacks kill, injure Ukrainian civilians despite Putin’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’. Three women in Kharkiv, believing the truce was in effect, were injured by a Russian drone while gardening.
Russia has damaged, destroyed over 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since beginning of full-scale invasion, health ministry says. Some 2020 medical facilities were partially damaged, while another 305 were completely destroyed, the ministry’s statement read.
Russia’s ballistic missiles make April deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since last fall, UN reports. At least 19 children were killed and 78 injured in April, the highest verified monthly number of child casualties since June 2022.
What Putin won’t tell you about Russia’s ‘Victory Day.’
International response
US, Russia discuss potential revival of Russian gas exports to Europe, Reuters reports. Washington’s involvement may also help mitigate political opposition in Europe, while giving the U.S. strategic visibility over future Russian energy flows, sources told Reuters.
‘Friends of steel’ — Xi, Putin vow to strengthen cooperation ahead of Victory Day celebrations, slam US leadership. 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.
China’s Xi arrives in Moscow ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade, meets with Putin. Xi Jinping is one of 27 leaders expected to attend the Victory Day parade in the Russian capital on May 9.
Lithuanian parliament backs denunciation of anti-personnel mine ban convention. The denunciation of the convention will take effect six months after the decision is made.
European Parliament passes resolution demanding return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Lawmakers urged the EU and its member states to step up efforts to hold Moscow accountable through international courts and support for Ukraine’s campaign to bring its children home.
Fico arrives in Moscow ahead of Victory Day celebrations, talks with Putin, world leaders. 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.
Turkey, China may serve as potential peace talk ‘mediator‘ if US pulls out, Polish FM says. “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.
Opinions and insights
Ukraine is sending the war back to Russia — just in time for Victory Day
Questions arise after Zelensky claims Ukraine “not responsible” for security of Moscow’s cherished military spectacle
Photo: Alexander Nemenov / AFP via Getty Images
Will Trump help Putin escape punishment for his crimes in Ukraine?
Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. took the unprecedented step of deepening cooperation with international courts of law.
Photo: Contributor / Getty Images
In other news
Existing EBRD funds not enough to restore Chornobyl Nuclear Plant confinement after Russian attack, the Guardian reports. Russian forces struck the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant with a drone on Feb. 14, breaking through the confinement and creating a 15-meter hole in it.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Dmytro Basmat, Lucy Pakhnyuk, Kateryna Hodunova, Liliane Bivings, Toma Istomina, Anna Fratsyvir, and Chris York.
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