ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including G20 leaders pledging to work for a “just, comprehensive peace” in Sudan, DR Congo, Palestine and Ukraine; Europe, Canada, Japan saying they are “concerned” by US peace plan's proposed limitations on Ukraine's army; and Trump saying the US' 28-point Ukraine peace plan is not his final offer.

TOP STORIES

G20 leaders pledge to work for ‘just, comprehensive peace’ in Sudan, DR Congo, Palestine, Ukraine

G20 leaders pledged in their summit declaration to work for a “just, comprehensive and lasting” peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Palestinian territories and Ukraine.

“Guided by the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety, we will work for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine,” said the final declaration of the summit in Johannesburg.

Condemning terrorism in “all its forms and manifestations,” it said, “Only with peace will we achieve sustainability and prosperity.”

The leaders also vowed to help end other conflicts and wars around the globe.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the leaders at the summit have adopted the declaration, according to public broadcaster SABC.

Europe, Canada, Japan 'concerned' by US peace plan's proposed limitations on Ukraine's army

Nine European Union countries, plus Britain, Canada and Japan, voiced concern about proposed limitations on Ukraine's army in a proposed US peace plan, saying the draft will require "additional work."

In a statement on the sidelines of a G20 summit, the leaders welcomed US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, saying the initial draft of the 28-point plan "includes important elements" that will be essential for a just and lasting peace.

But the leaders of Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Canada and Japan, as well as the presidents of the European Council and European Commissions, underlined that the draft "will require additional work."

"We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack," said the statement.

The leaders also reiterated that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and NATO "would need the consent” of their member states.

The peace plan draft appears to require Ukraine to surrender additional territory to Russia, limit the size of its military and formally abandon its bid to join NATO. US President Donald Trump has given his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday, Nov. 27, to respond.

Zelenskyy said he faces a tough choice, the "loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."

Russia started its "special military operation" in February 2022 for the "denazification" and demilitarization of Ukraine. Besides limits on the Ukrainian military and barring NATO membership, Moscow wants the Russian language to enjoy official status in Ukraine.

Trump says US' 28-point Ukraine peace plan not his final offer

President Donald Trump said a US-drafted 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war would not be his "final offer" as the proposal has sparked concerns in Kyiv and among its allies.

"We'd like to get the peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened," Trump told reporters while departing the White House.

"We're trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended," he said, adding that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned down the plan, he could "continue to fight his little heart out."

The draft appears to require Ukraine to surrender additional territory to Russia, limit the size of its military and formally abandon its bid to join NATO. Trump has given his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday to respond.

Zelenskyy said he faces a tough choice, namely the "loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."

Earlier, the leaders of nine European countries plus Japan, Canada and top EU officials, expressed concern about the plan's proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, warning that they "would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack."

Russia started its "special military operation" in February 2022 for the "denazification" and demilitarization of Ukraine. Besides limits on the Ukrainian military and barring NATO membership, Moscow wants the Russian language to enjoy official status in Ukraine.

NEWS IN BRIEF

-At least 90 protesters were arrested at a London demonstration in support of the banned activist group, Palestine Action, said police.

- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye is ready to host the next UN climate change conference, COP31, in November 2026, as he addressed leaders at a G20 summit in South Africa.

-The G20 leaders’ summit opened in Johannesburg, with President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the first address as delegates gathered for two days of talks.

-Mt. Semeru erupted again, sending a column of smoke and ash about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above its peak in Indonesia’s East Java province, according to media reports.

- China has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan, outlining Beijing’s stance amid rising tensions with Tokyo.

-Argentine President Javier Milei said Latin America lost its way due to 21st-century socialism and the US needs a strong ally in the region to correct course.

-Two Romanian F-16 jets were scrambled following new Russian drone strikes reported in Ukraine near the Danube River, which forms the border with Romania, said Bucharest’s Defense Ministry.

-The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora in Nigeria has declared that no fewer than 303 students are missing in an attack on St. Mary Secondary School in Niger state,

-At least 22 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes that hit homes and a vehicle in several areas of the Gaza Strip, in a new violation of a ceasefire that has been in force since Oct. 10.

-Germany will take a $42 million stake in an African investment insurer, as it wants to spur up to $500 million in investment

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Germany currently supports economic reform projects in G20-backed Compact with Africa countries with over $3.68B, says Chancellor Friedrich Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin will invest over €37 million ($42.63 million) in the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) through development bank KfW, a move expected to mobilize up to $500 million in trade and investment between German firms and African markets.

“We will see even stronger trading links between Germany and African countries, more investment by German companies on the continent, more value creation in Africa,” he told a side event at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

He said Germany supports economic reform projects in the G20-backed Compact with Africa (CwA) countries with more than €3.2 billion.

Under Berlin’s 2017 G20 presidency, the CwA was launched to boost private investment and drive economic reforms across African nations.

“Now we see many success stories in many compact countries already, more investment, more jobs, but our task today and from now on is to scale this up,” Merz said.

He said he would call it “a new phase,” or “Compact 2.0,” with Zambia and Angola joining this year, expanding the compact to 15 countries.

He congratulated Angolan President Joao Lourenco on joining the group.

“I trust that through this engagement, we will strengthen the compact,” South African Vice President Paul Mashatile said.

“We are confident that it will continue to unlock investments and help vigilant resilience,” he added.

African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the CwA offers an opportunity to implement reforms that attract investment and help achieve the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area protocol on investment.

He also urged a focus on priority sectors such as mineral resources to create decent jobs and generate income for millions of Africans.

Brazil hails 'biggest breakthrough' as Trump lifts tariffs on agribusiness products

Brazilian Vice President and Trade Minister Geraldo Alckmin declared a diplomatic victory after US President Donald Trump ordered the removal of significant additional import tariffs on key Brazilian agribusiness products, calling the action "the biggest breakthrough in negotiations between Brazil and the United States."

While applauding the move as "a major step forward," Alckmin, who has led the high-level negotiations, confirmed that Brazil would continue to push for more exemptions.

"We want to exclude more products and move forward in the negotiation," he told reporters in the national capital of Brasilia.

In just three months, the US and Brazil have moved from an unprecedented trade crisis to having direct, multi-level contact to ease tensions.

The most recent relief came earlier this week, when Trump suspended the extra 40% tariff on 238 Brazilian products. The exempted goods, part of an effort by Trump to lower costs for American consumers, include major exports like coffee, beef, cocoa, mangoes, coconuts, pineapples and acai.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shared a video reaction on US social media platform X, expressing pleasure with the decision.

"The removal of the 40% tariff imposed by the US government on several Brazilian agricultural products is a victory for dialogue, diplomacy and common sense," he said.

Lula and Trump have engaged in trade negotiations to further reduce tariffs. Lula praised the "frank dialogue" with Trump and confirmed that Brazil would continue talks to secure broader relief.

According to preliminary official estimates, exports subject to the steepest 50% additional tariff have been reduced from 36% to 22% following the latest decision.

The US president had initially imposed additional tariffs on Brazilian products, citing trade practices he considered unfair and the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was subsequently sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to carry out a coup after losing the 2022 elections.