EU to present new Russia sanctions as US calls invasion 'strategic failure'

The European Commission is preparing to introduce its 21st package of sanctions against Russia this week. These measures are expected to target financial institutions in third countries, notably in Central Asia, for allegedly assisting Russian banks in circumventing existing restrictions. Concurrently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in diplomatic discussions in the United Kingdom, participating in bilateral talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and an "E3 plus Ukraine" summit. It was reported 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 commented that Putin "wasted an opportunity to exit a failing war" by rejecting Zelenskyy's peace negotiation proposal. Separately, a US representative to the UN stated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become a "strategic failure." In other news, 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