As Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Riyadh, we assess the chances of a ceasefire with Russia and the role of backchannel diplomacy. And we ask what Syria’s latest deadly outburst of sectarian conflict means for stability in the region. Plus, we mark 14 years since Japan’s Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, bring you the latest from the Nordics and head to Cannes for the opening day of Mipim.