Morning opening: Ceasefire that wasn't
Russia and Ukraine are exchanging accusations of violating their differing ceasefire proposals as the Victory Day parade in Moscow approaches, with reports indicating Kremlin concerns about a possible Ukrainian strike.
Earlier this week, Ukraine proposed an indefinite ceasefire, which Russia repeatedly breached. Following another series of overnight attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated:
“All of this clearly shows that, on the Russian side, there was not even a token attempt to cease fire on the front. As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond in kind today as well. We will defend our positions and people’s lives.”
Russia, which had sought a shorter, artificial ceasefire to safeguard the parade—a proposal Kyiv never accepted—declared it would respond to any Ukrainian attacks “symmetrically.”
As noted by colleague Pjotr Sauer earlier this week, Victory Day has been central to Vladimir Putin’s vision of Russian identity throughout his more than 25 years in power. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has intensified its use of the annual celebration, with Putin employing the occasion to frame and justify the ongoing conflict.
We will monitor developments in the coming hours as the celebration nears and provide updates on the event's (very limited) guest list.
Elsewhere, coverage will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, preparations for Péter Magyar’s inauguration in Hungary tomorrow, and updates on the hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship.
It is Friday, 8 May 2026. Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.
US Secretary of State Rubio to meet Italy's Meloni amid strained relations over Iran
Today in Italy, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Earlier, Rubio held talks with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani as part of his two-day visit to Italy and the Vatican.
The agenda includes addressing growing tensions between Italy and the US in recent months, particularly over Rome’s refusal to participate in or support the US-led war in Iran.
Meloni and former US President Donald Trump had previously maintained a close alliance, with the prime minister attending his inauguration last year. However, as correspondent Angela Giuffrida observed, this relationship—rooted in shared nationalist rhetoric—is rapidly deteriorating.
Trump publicly criticized Meloni for not joining the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
“She is the one who is unacceptable,” Trump said, “because she doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up in two minutes if it had the chance.”
Rumen Radev confirmed as Bulgaria's new prime minister
Former President Rumen Radev has been confirmed as Bulgaria’s new prime minister following today’s parliamentary vote.
All 124 MPs from his party voted in favor, while 70 MPs opposed and 36 abstained.
In last month’s elections—Bulgaria’s eighth since 2021—Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria secured a parliamentary majority, the first such occurrence since 1997.
Radev, 62, who resigned from the largely ceremonial presidency in January to campaign on an anti-corruption platform, capitalized on voter frustration with entrenched corruption and veteran parties.
However, questions remain regarding his stance on Russia. Radev has criticized a recent defense agreement between Bulgaria and the United States and opposed sending arms to Kyiv.
AFP reported that Kyiv accused Moscow of ignoring a Ukrainian call to halt fighting earlier this week, which President Zelenskyy described as a test of the Kremlin’s sincerity in providing a brief respite in the four-year conflict.
Russia has threatened a massive strike on central Kyiv if the Victory Day parade on Saturday is disrupted, repeatedly urging foreign diplomats to evacuate the Ukrainian capital in advance.
Passersby walk against the backdrop of billboards commemorating Victory Day in Moscow, Russia.
