Zelenskyy in UK for E3 talks as EU readies new Russia sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United Kingdom for discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and an "E3 plus Ukraine" meeting, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This diplomatic engagement follows reports that President Zelenskyy previously invited Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to Kyiv to convey a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential personal 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. Concurrently, the European Commission is expected to unveil its 21st package of sanctions against Russia this week, reportedly targeting financial institutions in third countries, particularly in Central Asia, involved in circumventing existing restrictions.

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