March 31, 2022

*) Ukraine, Russia talks resume on Friday by video Russia and Ukraine will resume their peace talks online on April 1, a senior Ukrainian official has said. Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said in an online post that Kiev proposed the leaders of the two countries should meet, but Russia replied that more work needed to be done on a draft treaty. After talks in Istanbul on Tuesday, a Russian negotiator said Moscow would "radically" scale back its attacks around the capital Kiev and the northern city of Chernihiv. But doubts deepened after Kiev said on Wednesday Moscow's forces continued bombarding areas around Kiev and Chernihiv. *) Ukraine's Zelenskyy dismisses Russian claims of scaleback Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Russia's vows to de-escalate fighting. "We don't believe anyone, not a single beautiful phrase," Zelenskyy said in a video address to the nation. He added that his forces will fight for every metre of Ukraine's territory. He also said Russian troops were regrouping to strike the eastern Donbass region. Separately, Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden discussed Western efforts to support the Ukrainian military. *) Ally ditches Pakistan PM Imran Khan ahead of parliament vote Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's future looks increasingly in doubt. A main ally of Khan quit his ruling coalition on Wednesday and joined forces with the opposition seeking to oust him. The move by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement robbed Khan of his majority in parliament as he faces a looming no-confidence vote. Khan's aides said he would not back down or resign. "He will not resign. He will fight until the last ball," Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said. *) Iraq fails to elect new president as political impasse continues Iraqi lawmakers have failed for a third time to elect a new president for lack of a quorum. Only 178 out of 329 lawmakers were present in parliament on Wednesday, far short of the two-thirds quorum required for the vote. The continued failure to select a