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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• Ukrainian Cities Quiet In Early Hours Of Kremlin-Backed Cease-Fire RFE/RL 08 May 2025 -- Ukrainian cities were quiet early on May 8 after a three-day cease-fire declared by Russia came into effect, with no reports of long-range drones or missile launches after successive nights of bombardment.
• Trump Calls For 30-Day Cease-Fire After Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Breaking Its Own Truce RFE/RL 08 May 2025 -- US President Donald Trump called for a 30-day unconditional cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine and threatened more sanctions imposed by the United States and its partners if the cease-fire is not respected.

Defense Policy / Programs

• China opposes political maneuvering with ill intent, FM says on claims of Chinese exports of manipulators may be used for Russia drones Global Times 08 May 2025 -- When asked about China's view on claims that customs data reflects a substantial increase in China's exports of electronic game machines and manipulators to Russia, and that these manipulators may be used to control drones, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday that China's position on the Ukraine issue has always been clear. China has always been actively committed to halting the fighting and promoting peace and negotiation. China has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict and has strictly controlled dual-use items.

Foreign Policy

• Greetings to the leaders and citizens of foreign states on the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War President of Russia 08 May 2025 -- On the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Israel, as well as to the peoples of Georgia and Moldova.
• Dinner on behalf of the President of Russia for the heads of delegations attending the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory President of Russia 08 May 2025 -- Vladimir Putin spoke at a dinner hosted on behalf of the President of Russia for the heads of foreign delegations and honorary guests who have come to Moscow for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
• US and Russia Discuss Potential Role in Restoring Russian Gas Sales to Europe Sputnik 08 May 2025 -- Officials from the United States and Russia held discussions about how the US may help restore Russian gas sales in Europe, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
• Statement by the Delegations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan to the OSCE on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory over Nazism in the Second World War Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 May 2025
• Media statements by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping President of Russia 08 May 2025 -- Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping made statements for the media following Russian-Chinese talks.
• President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin PRC MofA 08 May 2025 -- On the morning of May 8 local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow. The two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Russia relations and major international and regional issues.
• Xi Jinping Arrives in Moscow for a State Visit to Russia and Attends the Celebrations Marking the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union PRC MofA 08 May 2025 -- On the evening of May 7, 2025 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow by special plane to pay a state visit to Russia and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Calls Talks Between Russia, China 'Constructive' Sputnik 08 May 2025 -- Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that the meeting between the Russian and Chinese delegations in Moscow was "constructive."
• Russian-Chinese talks President of Russia 08 May 2025 -- Talks between Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping took place in the Kremlin.
• Beginning of Russia-China talks in expanded format President of Russia 08 May 2025
• Beginning of meeting with President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping President of Russia 08 May 2025
• Xi says China, Russia find right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries People's Daily 08 May 2025 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday that China and Russia have found a right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries.
• Xi, Putin sign joint statement on further deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era PRC MND 08 May 2025 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.
• Now 'friends of steel': Xi and Putin meet in Moscow Radio Free Asia 08 May 2025 -- The leaders of China and Russia vowed to deepen their "strategic partnership" in a show of solidarity in Moscow on Thursday, casting themselves as defenders of the world order.
• Xi says China, Russia find right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries Global Times 08 May 2025 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday that China and Russia have found a right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries.
• Gymnich: press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas after the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 08 May 2025
• Baiba Braže at the EU foreign ministers' meeting: the EU must achieve full energy independence from the aggressor state of Russia Latvia MFA 08 May 2025 -- Further support for Ukraine and economic pressure on Russia and its supporters, including the 17th package of EU sanctions against Russia and the EU's plan for full energy independence from Russia, strengthening Europe's security and defence capabilities, dialogue with the United States on its presence in Ukraine and security guarantees - those were key issues discussed at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, or Gymnich.
• Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Warsaw: Europe holds the lever of power and Putin has no aces Estonia MFA 08 May 2025 -- On 7 and 8 May, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna participated in the informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers (Gymnich) in Warsaw, where the Russian aggression against Ukraine and relations between the European Union and the United States were discussed.
• EU Disburses Another $1.1Bln for Ukraine as Part of G7 Loan Secured by Russian Assets Sputnik 08 May 2025 -- The European Commission on Thursday disbursed the fourth tranche of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine worth 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) as part of the G7 loan meant to be repaid with proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

News Reports

• Migrants Beaten In Moscow Cafe As Crackdown On Central Asians Intensifies RFE/RL 08 May 2025 -- Staff and customers at a Moscow cafe that employs Central Asians say they were badly beaten by police during a raid, part of what they say is an intensifying campaign against migrants from the region.