UKRAINE: President Volodymyr Zelensky said in comments released today that he was ready for the next round of trilateral peace talks to end the war with Russia, but that it was up to the United States and the Kremlin to agree on where and when to meet.

Mr Zelensky said Washington had proposed hosting the next meeting between US, Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams, but Moscow had refused to send a delegation.

The US has postponed its sponsored talks between the two sides due to its war in the Middle East.

HUNGARY: Prime Minister Viktor Orban and main political opponent Peter Magyar each called their supporters onto the streets of the capital today for a show of strength before the two men face off in elections next month.

The rival rallies in Budapest, which drew hundreds of thousands of people in support of Mr Orban’s far-right Fidesz party and Mr Magyar’s conservative Tisza, are seen as a barometer for which side commands more support.

Tisza currently leads Fidesz in most independent polling.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: President Denis Sassou N’Guesso was believed to be heading for a fifth consecutive term today as voters went to the polls.

Some three million people were registered to vote in an election marked by a lethargic mood among young people, who expect Mr Sassou N’Guesso to win again, and a call for a boycott by opposition parties.

Six other candidates sought to replace the 82-year-old incumbent, but analysts say none can mount a significant challenge.

KAZAKHSTAN: A referendum took place today on a new constitution that would strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s grip on power.

The proposal merges the Kazakh parliament’s two chambers into one and gives the president the right to appoint all government officials and restores the post of vice-president.

If the constitutional changes pass, a new body will be created alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and initiate referendums. Its members will be appointed entirely by the president.