Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Ankara, Turkey, for upcoming talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. (Reuters)
2022 Hungarian presidential election Fidesz's Katalin Novák is elected the first female president of Hungary by the National Assembly. (Bloomberg)
2024 United States presidential election Former Montana Secretary of State and State Senator Corey Stapleton announces that he will form a "test the waters" political action committee in preparation to seek the nomination for the Republican Party for the upcoming 2024 election. (Great Falls Tribune)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War Russian President Vladimir Putin admits that the sanctions have created problems for Russia. However, he also called the sanctions illegitimate and warned the West that Russia will emerge stronger and solve the problems. (Reuters) (Sky News)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War The British government sanctions Russian oligarch and Chelsea F.C. owner Roman Abramovich, freezing all his assets in the United Kingdom. The sanctions mean that Premier League club Chelsea will not be able to sell any more tickets for games, its merchandise store will be closed, and it will be unable to buy or sell players on the transfer market until the club is sold. (BBC News)
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War The British government sanctions Russian oligarch and Chelsea F.C. owner Roman Abramovich, freezing all his assets in the United Kingdom. The sanctions mean that Premier League club Chelsea will not be able to sell any more tickets for games, its merchandise store will be closed, and it will be unable to buy or sell players on the transfer market until the club is sold. (BBC News)
Russian President Vladimir Putin admits that the sanctions have created problems for Russia. However, he also called the sanctions illegitimate and warned the West that Russia will emerge stronger and solve the problems. (Reuters) (Sky News)
The Russian government abolishes penalties for theft of patents if they are held by natural or legal persons from countries considered by the Russian government as "unfriendly". The decriminalisation of the piracy of software from "unfriendly" countries is also being considered. (Euractiv) (The Register)
Fidesz's Katalin Novák is elected the first female president of Hungary by the National Assembly. (Bloomberg)
Former Montana Secretary of State and State Senator Corey Stapleton announces that he will form a "test the waters" political action committee in preparation to seek the nomination for the Republican Party for the upcoming 2024 election. (Great Falls Tribune)
Qatar–United States relations, Colombia–United States relations U.S. President Joe Biden designates Qatar as a Major non-NATO ally and announces his intention to designate Colombia with the same status. (The Jerusalem Post)
Russia–Ukraine relations Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hold talks in Ankara, Turkey. These are the highest level talks between the two nations since the invasion. No ceasefire is reached, but the possibility of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin was discussed. (Reuters) Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov says that Ukraine is willing to accept Russia’s surrender “with understanding”. (Ukrinform)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hold talks in Ankara, Turkey. These are the highest level talks between the two nations since the invasion. No ceasefire is reached, but the possibility of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin was discussed. (Reuters)
The British government sanctions Russian oligarch and Chelsea F.C. owner Roman Abramovich, freezing all his assets in the United Kingdom. The sanctions mean that Premier League club Chelsea will not be able to sell any more tickets for games, its merchandise store will be closed, and it will be unable to buy or sell players on the transfer market until the club is sold. (BBC News)
The Israeli Knesset votes 45–15 to bar Palestinian spouses of Israelis from obtaining citizenship if they came from the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, and blocks family reunification of Israelis and their spouses if they came from "enemy countries" such as Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. This replaces a similar emergency order that was in place from 2003 to last year, when it failed to receive enough votes to be annually renewed. (Reuters)
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov says that Ukraine is willing to accept Russia’s surrender “with understanding”. (Ukrinform)
Internet censorship in Russia Russia blocks access to Instagram in response to Meta Platforms allowing "calls to violence" toward Russian soldiers in Ukraine as well as death threats toward Russian president Vladimir Putin. (BBC News)
Russia blocks access to Instagram in response to Meta Platforms allowing "calls to violence" toward Russian soldiers in Ukraine as well as death threats toward Russian president Vladimir Putin. (BBC News)
Belarus–Russia relations In a meeting with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, President Putin says that there are "positive shifts" and progress during talks with Ukraine. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia The government of British Columbia lifts the provincial mask mandate for most indoor public settings, citing a decreased number of hospitalizations and high vaccination rates. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry says that masks will remain mandatory in healthcare settings and federally-regulated areas such as airports, and local businesses have the discretion of continuing to require the usage of masks. British Columbia will also repeal their vaccine card mandate on April 8. (CBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia The government of British Columbia lifts the provincial mask mandate for most indoor public settings, citing a decreased number of hospitalizations and high vaccination rates. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry says that masks will remain mandatory in healthcare settings and federally-regulated areas such as airports, and local businesses have the discretion of continuing to require the usage of masks. British Columbia will also repeal their vaccine card mandate on April 8. (CBC)
Gabriel Boric is sworn-in as President of Chile, becoming the youngest person to serve as President. (Reuters)
In a meeting with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, President Putin says that there are "positive shifts" and progress during talks with Ukraine. (Reuters)
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov says that Russian president Vladimir Putin is open to holding a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (Ukraine News Today)
Russia allows foreign volunteers to join its armed forces to fight the war against Ukraine. Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu says that he has received around 16,000 applications, mostly from people in the Middle East. (AP)
Stock prices increase in the United States and other global markets after Russian president Vladimir Putin said that there was progress during talks with Ukraine. Following Putin's reports, the DOW increased by 300 points. (Nasdaq) (Reuters) (MarketWatch)
The government of British Columbia lifts the provincial mask mandate for most indoor public settings, citing a decreased number of hospitalizations and high vaccination rates. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry says that masks will remain mandatory in healthcare settings and federally-regulated areas such as airports, and local businesses have the discretion of continuing to require the usage of masks. British Columbia will also repeal their vaccine card mandate on April 8. (CBC)
2022 Turkmenistan presidential election A presidential election is held in Turkmenistan, with Serdar Berdimuhamedow expecting to be elected President of Turkmenistan to succeed his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. (Al Jazeera)
A presidential election is held in Turkmenistan, with Serdar Berdimuhamedow expecting to be elected President of Turkmenistan to succeed his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. (Al Jazeera)
Israel–Ukraine relations, Israel–Russia relations Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should be held in Jerusalem. He also says that Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett could have a positive impact on the negotiations. (Times of Israel)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should be held in Jerusalem. He also says that Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett could have a positive impact on the negotiations. (Times of Israel)
The Transitional Military Council of Chad meets with 44 different armed rebel and opposition groups, including the Front for Change and Concord in Chad, Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad, and the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development in Doha, Qatar for peace talks. The President of Chad, Mahamat Déby, hopes that the talks will be the first step towards agreeing on a new constitution and holding free elections. (ABC News) (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai Shanghai restricts access and urges residents not to leave the city amid an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases. (Seven News Australia) Areas in the Jinshan and Minhang districts of Shanghai are elevated to medium-risk areas of COVID-19. (Shanghai Daily) Shenzhen enters a lockdown until March 20 after 66 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the city. (Bloomberg) COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Former President Barack Obama tests positive for COVID-19. (People)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States Former President Barack Obama tests positive for COVID-19. (People)
Former President Barack Obama tests positive for COVID-19. (People)
Ukrainian negotiator and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliyak and Russian delegate Leonid Slutsky say that there are signs of progress in the peace talks. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says that Russia is willing to engage in negotiations aimed at a ceasefire. (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again calls for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying "it is only a matter of time before Russian rockets fall on your territory, on NATO territory". (NDTV)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that the purpose of the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is to ensure direct talks between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (GMA Network)
Aftermath of the Battle of Chernobyl Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko announces that power has been restored to the former power plant in Chernobyl. (Axios)
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko announces that power has been restored to the former power plant in Chernobyl. (Axios)
A DDoS cyberattack temporarily takes down Israeli government websites, including the websites of the interior, health, justice, and welfare ministries and the prime minister's office. (Middle East Eye)
Jean Charest, a candidate for the upcoming Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, tests positive for COVID-19. (CBC)
Political impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Jean Charest, a candidate for the upcoming Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, tests positive for COVID-19. (CBC)
Armenia–Azerbaijan relations Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan asks the OSCE Minsk Group to help initiate peace talks with Azerbaijan in an effort to normalize relations following the conflict. (ThePrint)
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan asks the OSCE Minsk Group to help initiate peace talks with Azerbaijan in an effort to normalize relations following the conflict. (ThePrint)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol announces that South Korea will begin its COVID-19 vaccine campaign for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years on March 31. Booster doses will also be administered for children between the ages of 12 and 17 years. (Korea Herald)
COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol announces that South Korea will begin its COVID-19 vaccine campaign for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years on March 31. Booster doses will also be administered for children between the ages of 12 and 17 years. (Korea Herald)
Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol announces that South Korea will begin its COVID-19 vaccine campaign for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years on March 31. Booster doses will also be administered for children between the ages of 12 and 17 years. (Korea Herald)
2022 Turkmenistan presidential election Serdar Berdimuhamedow is elected President of Turkmenistan, succeeding his father Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. (AP)
Kyiv offensive Battle of Kyiv The Kyiv city government and Kyiv Oblast administration impose a 35-hour curfew starting at 20:00 local time (18:00 UTC). (Reuters) Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and producer Oleksandra Kuvshynova are killed, and war correspondent Benjamin Hall is injured, while covering the fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces in Horenka, Kyiv Oblast. (The Guardian)
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Illia Kyva, a politician for the pro-Russian Opposition Platform — For Life, is deprived of his MP status in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. A further four MPs quit the party. (Interfax Ukraine)
Battle of Kyiv The Kyiv city government and Kyiv Oblast administration impose a 35-hour curfew starting at 20:00 local time (18:00 UTC). (Reuters)
Canada–Russia relations Russia sanctions Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, General Wayne Eyre and most members of the Canadian parliament. All those sanctioned are banned from entering Russia. (CBC News)
Enlargement of NATO Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledges that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO. (The Independent)
Illia Kyva, a politician for the pro-Russian Opposition Platform — For Life, is deprived of his MP status in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. A further four MPs quit the party. (Interfax Ukraine)
Russia sanctions Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, General Wayne Eyre and most members of the Canadian parliament. All those sanctioned are banned from entering Russia. (CBC News)
Russia–Ukraine relations The fourth round of talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations resumes a day after talks were suspended for technical reasons. (The Quint) (CBS News) Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak reaffirms that ceasefire negotiations are ongoing. (The Free Press Journal) Podolyak says that talks between Ukraine and Russia are difficult but also says that there is "certainly room for compromise". Talks between both countries will continue tomorrow. (AP) (Reuters)
Serdar Berdimuhamedow is elected President of Turkmenistan, succeeding his father Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. (AP)
The Kyiv city government and Kyiv Oblast administration impose a 35-hour curfew starting at 20:00 local time (18:00 UTC). (Reuters)
The prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic travel to Kyiv by train to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in order to demonstrate "unequivocal support" of the European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. (CNN)
Ukraine–European Union relations The prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic travel to Kyiv by train to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in order to demonstrate "unequivocal support" of the European Union for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. (CNN)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledges that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO. (The Independent)
Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak reaffirms that ceasefire negotiations are ongoing. (The Free Press Journal)
Foreign aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says that the UK has begun supplying Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden announces a further $800 million in "security assistance" to Ukraine, including 800 anti-aircraft systems, and thousands of anti-tank missiles and armed combat drones to counter Russia's invasion. (Reuters)
Prosecutors for the U.S. Justice Department accuse five people working on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security of conspiring to spy on and intimidate several dissidents living in the United States, such as the father of Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, and Tiananmen Square protest leader and current congressional candidate Xiong Yan. The department says it is the first time that federal elections in the country have been interfered with in this manner. Three have been arrested while two remain at large. (The Guardian) (BBC News)
Iran–United Kingdom relations Iranian-British dual citizens Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori are released from prison in Iran and return to the United Kingdom after spending 5 years and 11 months, and 2 years and 7 months, respectively, in prison for suspected espionage. (BBC News) The British government releases US$500 million of sanctioned Iranian assets after Iran releases the prisoners. (BBC News)
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses his ministers on the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the Russian economy, saying that Russian "traitors" and "scum" would be "spat out like a midge that accidentally flew into their mouths", and also accuses a so-called "fifth column" of attempting to destroy the country from within. (Reuters)
The British government releases US$500 million of sanctioned Iranian assets after Iran releases the prisoners. (BBC News)
Russia–Ukraine relations Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that there is hope of reaching a compromise aimed at a ceasefire. (Politico.eu) In a report from the Financial Times, a peace plan is drafted by Ukraine and Russia. The conditions include a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal if Ukraine abandons all attempts of joining NATO and accepts limits on its armed forces. (Naharnet) (Financial Times)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that there is hope of reaching a compromise aimed at a ceasefire. (Politico.eu)
Russo-Ukrainian War 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin orders the Federal Security Service to arrest Rosgvardiya Deputy Chief General Roman Gavrilov. (Euroweekly News)
According to Ukrainian intelligence information, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledges to supply Russia with 40,000 mercenaries. (The Jerusalem Post)
Economic consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian War Boycott of Russia and Belarus Steam announces that they will stop payments to Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. (PCMag) The U.S. House of Representatives votes 424–8 to suspend trade relations with Russia and Belarus following the invasion. (NBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins to administering its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children aged 12 to 14 years using its homegrown Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine. (Nikkei Asia) COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 621,328 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. (Yonhap)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 vaccination in India India begins to administering its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children aged 12 to 14 years using its homegrown Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine. (Nikkei Asia)
