Representatives of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine—a grouping known as the Normandy Format—meet in Berlin today (TASS) to continue efforts to mediate Russia-Ukraine tensions. Separately, the European Union delivered its foreign ministers’ joint response to Moscow’s demands for security guarantees.
“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin may well calculate that the benefits of reasserting Russian power outweigh any political costs. But if he does, he may not only push Ukrainians further away from Russia; he may also push Russians further away from the Kremlin,” the Carnegie Moscow Center’s Andrei Kolesnikov writes for Foreign Affairs.
Pacific Rim
Report: Trade in Asia-Pacific Grew Faster Than World Average in 2021
Trade in the region grew almost 30 percent (Al Jazeera) in the first three quarters of the year, compared to global growth of around 28 percent, according to the Asian Development Bank.
North Korea: The COVAX vaccine distribution initiative reduced the number of doses (Yonhap) it plans to send to North Korea from 8.11 million to 1.54 million. A spokesperson for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which coleads the program, said COVAX is moving to “needs-based” distribution.
South and Central Asia
Indians Begin Voting in Regional Elections
Voting began today (India Today) for regional governments in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, the most populous in India. The state’s elections are seen as a bellwether (WaPo) for how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fare in the 2024 national elections.
For Foreign Affairs, Arvind Subramanian and Josh Felman discuss India’s stalled rise.
Myanmar: Authorities reportedly arrested filmmaker (AP) Htun Zaw Win in Yangon after he spent a year on the run. He was wanted for encouraging government employees to protest Myanmar’s military junta.
Middle East and North Africa
Biden Calls Saudi Arabia’s King Salman
In a call with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, U.S. President Joe Biden affirmed U.S. support for Saudi Arabia (Reuters) in light of recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The leaders also discussed global energy supplies and prices.
Libya: Gunmen reportedly attacked the car (Al Jazeera) of Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah hours before a vote to replace him.
Sub-Saharan Africa
South Africa’s Ramaphosa to Outline Economic Measures in Speech
In his State of the Nation address today, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address (Bloomberg) income support, work permits for foreigners, and measures to tackle rolling blackouts in the country.
Mali: The country’s military government, which took power in a coup last year, said it created working groups (Reuters) to cooperate with the African Union and United Nations to plan a return to constitutional order.
Europe
Paris Bans ‘Freedom Convoy’ Protests Against COVID-19 Measures
Convoys of protesters opposed to vaccination requirements are heading toward Paris (BBC) for a demonstration planned for tomorrow.
Americas
Protests on U.S.-Canada Bridge Interrupt Auto Manufacturing
Ford, General Motors, and Toyota reported stoppages (CBC) at their plants after Canadian protesters opposing COVID-19 restrictions shut down a bridge that is a vital trade link between the United States and Canada.
Argentina/China: An Argentine delegation will travel to China next month to discuss military cooperation, which could include (MercoPress) a $664 million purchase of Chinese fighter jets.
United States
Inflation Data Expected to Show January Prices Rose Fastest in Twenty Years
Economists expect the Consumer Price Index data to be released today will show that year-on-year inflation ending in January reached 7.2 percent (NYT), up from 7 percent in December.
