The Pope was not elected, the beginning of Putin's 'three-day truce': the main events of the night.

The US Treasury Secretary agreed that Putin is a war criminal, Russia declared a truce, and the Pope was not elected. 'Glavkom' gathered the main events of the night against May 8, so you are aware of the current news.

The Pope was not elected

On Wednesday, May 7, a conclave began in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. 133 cardinals from 71 countries gathered to elect a new Pope, but in the evening it became known that no decision had been made. This was reported by 'Glavkom' with reference to the live broadcast from the Vatican.

Black smoke came from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, which means that during their first and only vote today, the cardinals did not elect a Pope. White smoke and bells will signal that the church has received a new leader. It should be noted that for many centuries no Pope has been elected on the first day of the conclave.

Bessent commented on Putin

During hearings in Congress held on Wednesday, May 7, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticized the sanctions policy of Joe Biden's administration towards Russia, calling it insufficiently effective. Moreover, he responded to the question of whether he considers Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. This was reported by 'Glavkom' with reference to the Kyiv Post.

One of the congressmen asked whether Bessent would agree to negotiate with Putin, who is a war criminal. In response, the minister emphasized that diplomacy involves dialogue with all parties.

When directly asked whether he considers the Russian leader a war criminal, the minister replied affirmatively: 'Yes.'

Trump reported important decisions on Ukraine

US President Donald Trump stated that the situation with the war in Ukraine is approaching a stage where important decisions need to be made. At the same Time, he admitted that he is not thrilled about such a necessity. This was reported by 'Glavkom' with reference to his statement during a conversation with journalists in the White House.

Trump was asked about the Russo-Ukrainian war, particularly in the context of a recent statement by US Vice President JD Vance, who noted that Russia's demands in the negotiations are excessive.

Euro instead of the dollar?

Ukraine is considering changing the US dollar as the main currency for the exchange rate binding of the hryvnia in favor of the euro. This was stated by the head of the National Bank Andriy Pyshnyy in an interview with Reuters, as reported by 'Glavkom'.

The NBU head explained that this idea is related to several important factors: the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the European Union, strengthening military-political support from the EU, as well as the growing instability in global markets and the risk of fragmentation of global trade. This forces the Ukrainian central bank to seriously consider whether it would be more appropriate to make the euro the main reference currency for the hryvnia.

However, as Pyshnyy emphasized, this is a complex process that requires deep and comprehensive analysis and preparation.

Three-day truce of Putin

Russia announced the introduction of a ceasefire mode against Ukraine from midnight May 8 for three days. This statement, initiated earlier by Vladimir Putin, was published by Russian media, as reported by 'Glavkom'.

Despite the absence of an official statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense, news agencies and leading Russian resources reported at midnight Kyiv time about the alleged start of a 'truce' from the occupiers.

According to representatives of the Russian leadership, the so-called 'ceasefire' was supposed to begin on May 8 at 00:00, last through May 9, and end at midnight on May 11. Thus, it refers to three days.