Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – March 30, 2022

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

A fresh round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine brokered by Turkiye kicked off in Istanbul on Tuesday.

The Turkish president on Tuesday reiterated his call for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine ahead of peace talks in Istanbul to end the war, which is early into its second month.

The Turkish foreign minister hailed the latest round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, saying Tuesday's meeting achieved "the most meaningful progress since the start of negotiations."

Ukraine wants to see eight countries, including Turkiye, as guarantors in a deal with Russia, said a Ukrainian negotiator after peace talks in Istanbul.

Germany will completely end its dependence on Russian oil and gas, said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Europe must stop listening to any excuses made for Russia, said Ukraine’s president.

A Bruno Fernandes double gave Portugal a 2-0 win against North Macedonia in the European Qualifiers playoff final Tuesday to send them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In a tit-for-tat move, Russia on Tuesday expelled several diplomats from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Turkiye and Uzbekistan are taking robust steps towards expanding their trade volume to $5 billion, with the figure topping $3.6 billion as of last year, the Turkish president said.

Russia will significantly decrease its military activities in the direction of Ukraine's Kyiv and Chernihiv to increase trust for future negotiations, the country's deputy defense minister announced.

A bipartisan group of US senators is demanding Russia's removal from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) following Moscow's "unprovoked, inhumane and illegal invasion" of Ukraine.

Leaders of the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK had a telephone call Tuesday where they vowed to inflict additional costs on Russia for its war in Ukraine, the White House said.

Five people were killed in a shooting attack in central Israel, Israeli police said.