Ukraine ready to discuss neutrality deal; Will Smith slap overshadows Oscars

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Today’s Top Stories from NBC News

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2022

Good morning, NBC News readers.

Today we look at the fast-moving situation in Ukraine, where peace talks with Russia this week may raise hopes for a cease-fire. Plus we have all the news and reaction from Sunday night's Academy Awards, of course including that Will Smith incident.

Here's what we're watching this Monday morning.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is willing to discuss his country's neutrality in order to end the war. But in a video address on Sunday, Ukraine's embattled leader said he would not sacrifice its territorial integrity.

With Russia growing more focused on defeating Ukraine's forces in the east, Zelenskyy is looking towards an end to the war, with fears rising that should Russia take full control of the Donbass region it may try to split the country in two, in a so-called Korean model.

Zelenskyy's comments came ahead of a fresh round of peace talks set to take place this week in Turkey.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's remarks over the weekend — interpreted by many as tantamount to calling for regime change in Russia — continued to reverberate among the United States' friends and foes.

Biden had said Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power" during a speech from Poland, although Secretary of State Antony Blinken was among the U.S. officials to say that Washington was not pursuing "a strategy of regime change."

Here's today's key coverage of the war in Ukraine:

The takeaways from Biden’s trip to Europe? Unity, reassurance and a memorable gaffe
Democrats moved to clarify Biden's Putin remark, while Republicans knocked his 'mistake'
Biden's job approval has fallen to the lowest level of his presidency amid war and inflation fears
Russians who live abroad see friends, family in Moscow hardening their support of Putin
Ukrainians see Russian attacks up close as they flee Mariupol

Follow our live blog and NBC News Now for all the latest developments.

Monday's Top Stories

Smith accepted the Oscar for best actor minutes after the incident, apologizing to the academy but not to Rock.

There has been heated reaction to the incident, which has overshadows the fulfillment of his long-held Oscar dreams.

See the complete list of winners and nominees for the 94th Academy Awards.

Also from the Oscars, Apple TV+ mades history as thefirst streaming service to win best picture with 'CODA,' and Ariana DeBose made history as the first Afro Latina, openly queer actor of color to win an Oscar.

Watch the action as it unfolded with our live blog.

Republican support for the historic nominee remains uncertain.

The act of preserving art during war may be the last thing we think about, but the attempt to do so has a long history, writes Laura Brandon, former curator at the Canadian War Museum.

Also in the News

Some workers say generous benefits like IVF coverage don’t make up for low wages.

Here are 8 noteworthy cookbooks by Black, James Beard Award-nominated chefs and authors

“I want music listening to be a communal experience,” declares poet, cultural critic and author Hanif Abdurraqib.

Abdurraqib is a New York Times bestselling author, having penned five books, including poetry collections, essays and nonfiction, along with articles in several publications.

“I’m drawn to music that excites and disrupts my comfort. So I’m just always in tune to what broadens my musical palette,” Abdurraqib said.

Read the full article here.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.

If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com.

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Thanks, Patrick Smith

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