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.
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Friday, May 9
(Updated: )
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.
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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.
(Updated: )Victory Day
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.
Friday, May 9
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.
In the aftermath of the capitulation of ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, a number of protesters were detained in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on Sept. 22, RF/ERL’s Armenian service reported.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has come under fire for the lack of support Armenian authorities provided for the ethnic Armenian forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Azerbaijani military conducted a lightning day-long offensive that ended with a ceasefire on Sept. 20. Under the terms of the new ceasefire, the Nagorno-Karabakh military formations are to be disarmed and disbanded.
Russia’s ‘peacekeeper’ act crumbles as Azerbaijan overwhelms Nagorno-Karabakh
On Sept. 19, just under three years after the end of the last major war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku moved decisively to finish what it started in 2020. Shortly after the announcement of the launching of “anti-terrorist” measures by the Azerba…
Francis Farrell
The armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh have begun to hand over weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles, Russian state-controlled media reported on Sept. 22, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense.
During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, the regular Armenian military had come to the aid of the Nagorno-Karabakh defense forces, but Pashinyan claimed that they were not present in the territory during this latest episode of fighting.
Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 war sparked anti-government protests against Pashinyan, a sentiment that is currently being repeated by protesters in Yerevan and other Armenian cities.
One of the protest organizers, former opposition leader Adranik Tevanyan, pledged to continue the demonstrations until Pashinyan is removed from office.
Protesters primarily directed their ire towards Pashinyan, but videos circulating on social media and in reporting by Newsweek also showed anti-Russian slogans and statements being shouted.
Russian so-called “peacekeepers” have been stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh since the end of the second war in November 2020, but they failed to prevent this most recent outbreak of violence.
Around 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in Nagorno-Karabakh, and although Baku has discussed plans for their reintegration into Azerbaijan, many are concerned about what their future may look like outside of Armenian control.
Pashinyan emphasized that Yerevan is ready to accept displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh but also asserted he was hopeful they could remain there.
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities surrender in apparent Russia-brokered deal
Reuters reported that authorities in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh declared that they had “no choice but to cease hostilities” with Azerbaijani forces on Sept. 20. According to the terms of the proposal, any remaining Armenian troops must leave Azerbaijan territory, and there must be a “d…
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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