Kremlin says Ukraine should withdraw troops from Donbas, and a Putin-Trump call expected soon

The Kremlin has called for Ukraine to withdraw troops from the Donbas region, which is seen as an effort to de-escalate tensions in the area. This announcement could spark international reactions and draw more attention to the situation in Ukraine. Additionally, reports suggest an impending call between President Putin and former President Trump, raising questions about potential diplomatic impacts. Should developments in Ukraine result in shifts in geopolitical risks, market sentiment might be affected, potentially increasing volatility, particularly in local markets. An escalation in the situation could boost demand for safe-haven assets like gold and the yen, while the implications for energy prices and the currency market remain critical points of focus moving forward.