**G20 Summit in Brazil**
The G20 Summit is taking place on November 18-19 in Brazil. The country aims to become a leader for Latin America and the Global South. Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov will attend, but US President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping are also set to come.
**Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada**
The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has scheduled a plenary week from November 19-22. The adoption of the 2025 budget is planned, which depends on the president signing a tax hike bill passed by parliament over a month ago.
**Budget Discussions in Ukraine**
The IMF mission currently in Ukraine emphasizes the need for the budget to be adopted. However, discussions on other issues are expected next week, including:
* Decriminalizing porn
* Salaries for prosecutors and teachers
* Road fund and local government finances
* A bill defining the legal status of military paramedics
* Streamlining the procedure for writing off military property
**Romania’s Presidential Elections**
The first round of Romania’s presidential elections is set for November 24. Current polls show Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in the lead. Top contenders for the second round include Nicolae Ciucă, George Simion, and Elena Lasconi. Despite Ciolacu’s lead, these three have a real chance of advancing to the runoff.
**Concerns about Ukraine**
The primary threat to Ukraine may be George Simion’s potential advancement to the second round, given his far-right party‘s growing support. Simion opposes aid to Ukraine, especially military assistance. Reports indicate Russian interference attempts in the elections, involving the use of proxies and social media bot networks.
**Other Events**
* November 20: “Ukrainska Pravda” will host “UP 100,” awarding 100 influential Ukrainians across various sectors.
* Zelensky is set to present a strategy for internal victory next week, covering key areas such as energy and defense.