EU to unveil new Russia sanctions as Zelenskyy visits UK

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, particularly in Central Asia, suspected of assisting in the circumvention of existing restrictions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United Kingdom for diplomatic engagements. His schedule includes bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and an "E3 plus Ukraine" meeting alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This visit follows earlier reports that President Zelenskyy had invited Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to Kyiv to convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential direct meeting. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Putin "wasted an opportunity to exit a failing war" by declining Zelenskyy's proposal for direct peace negotiations. Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Суспільне Новини, Українська правда