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More Ukraine talks planned, traders dial back bets on March hike, and block-trading probe net widens.

Diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions around Moscow’s military buildup near Ukraine continue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov set to meet U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for talks next week. President Joe Biden continues to warn an invasion is likely ahead of talks with European leaders today. The Russian military exercises are due to end on Sunday, with troop movements after that date seen as a key test of the Kremlin’s intentions. Investors, unclear about how this will turn out, continue to favor havens.