RUSSIA

Some European leaders welcomed Democratic gains in Congress, as did Iran's parliamentary speaker. However, Russia voiced concerns about the Democrats' "negative" attitudes towards the country and China remained firmly neutral.

The initiative would use an American intermediary to sell Russian gas, potentially creating business opportunities for U.S. investors while providing Moscow with an incentive to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Volodymyr Zelensky said Turkey could help mediate planned talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States, as strikes from both Moscow and Kyiv continued.

The United States canceled the traditional G20 "family photo" after diplomats objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov over Russia's war on Ukraine, a sticking point that ensured no international consensus on key issues was reached at the summit.