The European Commission has said that the attendance of several EU diplomats at Vladimir Putin's so-called "inauguration" on Tuesday does not call into question the EU's position on support for Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has told journalists on 8 May that if French President Emmanuel Macron sends troops to Ukraine, the Russians will consider them legitimate targets.

Lithuania is ready to send its troops to conduct exercises on the territory of Ukraine, but official Kyiv has not yet sent a request.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said at the UN General Assembly on 7 May that peace in Ukraine is possible only if the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored and not if Russia is rewarded for its aggression.

Ukrainian-born congresswoman Victoria Spartz, who opposes the transfer of US$61 million in aid to the country, has won the Republican primaries in Indiana.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states will on Wednesday, 8 May discuss a proposal for a new package of sanctions against Russia, the 14th so far.

NATO has said that Russia's nuclear rhetoric is reckless and dangerous in reaction to Russia's declaration of tactical nuclear weapons drills.

The European Commission has proposed restrictions on 11 vessels that contribute to Russia's ability to wage its full-scale war against Ukraine.

Although the head of the EU foreign policy agency advised the EU states not to attend Vladimir Putin's so-called "inauguration", the countries retain the ability to make their own foreign policy decisions.

The head of Poland's military counterintelligence service, Jarosław Stróżyk, suggests that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is already prepared for a small-scale military operation against a NATO country.

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has stated that he has advised EU countries not to send their representatives to the "inauguration" of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The Swedish government is preparing new rules for Ukrainians who reside in the country. These changes will help Ukrainians get onto the population register faster and obtain social security numbers, providing them with several advantages.  

The European Commission has sent EU countries a draft proposal for a 14th package of sanctions against Russia. The proposal includes, among other things, restrictions on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, although there are no plans for a full embargo. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has given a brief summary of a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris which included a discussion of the Russo-Ukrainian war. 

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is opposed to European Union representatives attending the "inauguration" ceremony for Russian leader Vladimir Putin following his sham re-election this spring.