EU prepares new Russia sanctions, Zelenskyy visits UK, and Philippines hit by earthquake

The European Commission is preparing to present its 21st package of sanctions against Russia this week, which is expected to target financial institutions in third countries, notably in Central Asia, for allegedly assisting Russian banks in circumventing existing restrictions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United Kingdom for diplomatic discussions, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and an "E3 plus Ukraine" summit involving French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This visit comes after reports that Zelenskyy had invited Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to Kyiv to convey a message to President Vladimir Putin about a potential direct meeting. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha asserted that Putin "wasted an opportunity to exit a failing war" by rejecting Zelenskyy's peace negotiation proposal. Separately, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines, causing at least 19 deaths, over 200 injuries, and a one-meter tsunami.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Суспільне Новини, Українська правда