Russian invasion International response

EU demands reforms before Ukraine loan disbursement

The EU is demanding democratic progress in Ukraine before further funds can be disbursed from a $103 billion loan, *The Economist* reports.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reportedly demanded, among other things, reforms to the tax system and measures to combat Ukraine's black market.

According to Semafor, Ukraine’s democracy index has steadily declined since Volodymyr Zelenskyy took power—a trend that has largely coincided with Russia’s war of aggression.

US invites Putin to G20 meeting in Miami

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is inviting Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami in December, AFP reports.

"To solve problems, you have to meet with the people you disagree with," he says, adding:

"We believe this is an opportunity for him to interact not only with the president (Trump) but also with other world leaders. We hope he accepts the invitation."

The Kremlin has not commented. Russia is an official G20 member, but Putin has not attended the summits since 2019.

Rubio further states that the US wants Russia and Ukraine to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure. 

Putin's Russia
Putin: Election shows people support our military

The record-high voter turnout in this weekend's Russian parliamentary election demonstrates the people's support for the military, President Vladimir Putin says, according to Reuters.

"There were attempts to destabilize the election, but no one can intimidate Russia [...] I am certain that the special military operation will achieve its goals," he continues.

No parties critical of the war were permitted to run in the election. Putin's United Russia party won a record majority, securing 355 of the Duma's 450 seats.

Russian invasion  Sanctions
Chelsea billionaire seeks to acquire Lukoil’s assets

Todd Boehly, a former co-owner of Chelsea Football Club, wants to buy the international assets of Russian oil giant Lukoil, sources tell the *Financial Times*. Backing the bid are the US government’s development finance agency (DFC), a high-ranking representative from the United Arab Emirates, and a Syrian-Qatari billionaire family with close ties to the White House and the Trump family.

Boehly, who sold his stake in Chelsea last week, has reportedly been working on the deal for several months. He is competing against the private equity firm Carlyle, which reached an agreement to purchase the assets in January.

Lukoil’s international assets were put up for sale after the US imposed sanctions on the company last year.