Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – March 29, 2022

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world

Turkiye's Underwater Defense teams are neutralizing a mine found off the coast of Igneada close to the Bulgarian maritime border, the National Defense Ministry said.

Nearly 17,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine so far, the Ukrainian General Staff said Monday.

Russia’s president instructed the government, central bank and state-owned energy company Gazprom to switch the currency of payment for gas supplies to “unfriendly countries” to rubles by March 31. The G7 group of the world's major economic powers rejected Russia’s demand that they pay for their gas and oil purchases with rubles.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine could resume in Istanbul as soon as Tuesday.

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy may take place if all key differences between the two countries are settled, said Russia’s foreign minister.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced visa restrictions for citizens of countries that are listed as "unfriendly" by Russia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to allow Ukraine and Russia to negotiate an end to the war.

US President Joe Biden refused Monday to walk back his comment that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power."