March 29, 2022

*) Russia, Ukraine peace talks to start in Istanbul Ukrainian and Russian delegations are in Istanbul for a new round of peace talks, set to start later today. Previous rounds of negotiations in Belarus produced little progress in early days of the conflict. Ukraine says it will not give up land to Russia, but Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated he is willing to consider making Ukraine a neutral country if such a move is approved by referendum. It would end Kiev's NATO aspirations. *) Russia to restrict entry of citizens from unfriendly nations Russia says it's preparing measures to restrict entry for citizens of 'unfriendly' countries, which includes the US, EU states and the UK. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the decision is in retaliation for the actions of a number of foreign states. Lavrov says the move will target countries that have overstepped the rights of Russian citizens. Many western nations have placed unprecedented sanctions on Moscow following last month's attack on Ukraine. *) Kazakhstan ready to companies leaving Russia Kazakhstan says it is ready to welcome companies with good reputations that have left Russia because of its attack on Ukraine. Kazakh deputy foreign minister, Roman Vassilenko, says his country does not want to be stuck on the wrong side of a new Iron Curtain and encouraged companies that pulled from Russia to move their production to Kazakhstan. The Central Asian country has been trying to find a balance between its stance against the incursion and its ties with Russia. Many Western companies withdrew from Russia hoping to pressure Moscow to walk back its attack. *) No confidence motion against Pakistan’s Imran Khan submitted Pakistan's parliament has taken up a no-confidence motion by opposition lawmakers to try to remove Prime Minister Imran Khan from office. The house will begin a debate on the motion on Thursday and a vote is set to be held within seven days. The move comes as Pakistan faces a recurring economic crisis. K