Axios

Russian forces have begun trying to recruit Syrians to "sign up and fight in Ukraine," a senior U.S. defense official told reporters Monday.

What they're saying: "We believe that the reports are accurate that the Russians are trying to recruit Syrians, in particular, to sign up and fight in Ukraine," the defense official said.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is threatening the global food supply.

The big picture: The two countries combine for nearly one-third of global wheat and barley exports, AP reports. Ukraine is a major exporter of corn.

Foreign players and coaches on Russian teams will be allowed to suspend their contracts and play elsewhere until June 30, FIFA announced on Monday.

Why it matters: The announcement comes after FIFA and UEFA banned all Russian club and national teams from competition last week after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The announcement should give players flexibility to play elsewhere while the ban is in place.

Ukraine on Monday criticized the Kremlin's announcement of new humanitarian corridors to transport civilians to Russia and Belarus as an "immoral" stunt ahead of a third round of peace talks.

The latest: The talks near the Belarus border concluded after about four hours, with no major breakthroughs but positive developments on improving the "logistics of humanitarian corridors," according to a Zelensky adviser. Negotiations on a potential ceasefire and broader political solution will continue.

Top European leaders said Monday that they recognize the need to reduce the continent's dependence on Russian energy but stressed that an immediate embargo would not be feasible.

Why it matters: Under pressure from Congress and the Ukrainian government, the Biden administration may move to ban Russian oil imports on a unilateral basis if the U.S. cannot immediately bring along its European allies.

Oil prices shot to 14-year highs as the U.S. and other nations weigh direct bans or limits on crude oil imports from Russia.

Why it matters: The latest price surge shows how Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the response to it is rattling what are already tight energy markets.

Economic forecasters are starting to plug the effects of the Ukraine war into their models. It doesn't look good, especially for Europe.

Why it matters: Much of the world is set to experience weaker growth and higher inflation than seemed likely mere weeks ago. And that's assuming some of the more dire possibilities that further escalation of the conflict could bring don't materialize.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Turkey later this week, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Why it matters: It will be the highest-level talks between Ukraine and Russia since the start of Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is hinting Ukrainians may suffer a loss of their government if not their country — but expressly said neither would endure.

Why it matters: The world has rallied to Ukraine's cause, but the chief diplomat's carefully chosen words follow a report allied officials are concerned about the Ukrainian government's line of succession — and the possible need for a government-in-exile.

The internet promised a world in which no government could fully hide the truth from its people. Russia's free-speech crackdown following its invasion of Ukraine is testing that premise as never before.

Why it matters: How everyday Russians view the conflict is likely to determine their willingness to support Vladimir Putin and his war.

One of the next big questions looming over the economic war against Russia is what will happen to its sovereign bonds. The Russian government has borrowed about $49 billion in the form of dollar- and euro-denominated bonds, and owes a series of interest payments to bondholders in the coming months.

Why it matters: If Russia defaults on its debt, it will play out differently than sovereign defaults of the past — and investors are watching for signs that it could ripple out into a broader market dislocation, as Russia's 1998 ruble debt default did.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute will announce Monday that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is receiving its Ronald Reagan Freedom Award "for his courageous fight against tyranny and for his indomitable stance for freedom and democracy."

What they're saying: "The world applauds President Zelensky and all that he stands for — democracy, individual liberty, freedom, and hope," said Fred Ryan, chairman of the foundation and institute board of trustees.

Police detained over 4,300 people across Russia on Sunday at protests against the Putin-ordered invasion of Ukraine, per OVD-Info, a Russia-based human rights monitoring group.

The big picture: Russian authorities have arrested thousands of protesters since Russia's military launched a full-scale assault on Ukraine Feb. 24, but they have so far failed to stop the anti-war movement in the country.

Oksana Masters, who won Team USA's first gold medal of the Beijing Winter Paralympics, has opened about the difficulty in competing in the Games during the Russian military invasion of her birthplace, Ukraine.

What she's saying: "I feel selfish, helpless, and guilty for being here," she wrote in an Instagram post. "However, I have always been so proud to be Ukrainian, felt so much pride at the sight of the Ukrainian flag, and now more than ever, I am the proudest to say I am Ukrainian. My mom always said my Ukrainian heart made me resilient; it made me a fighter."