Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin says 'certain positive movements' in negotiations

A third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine ended without any resolution.

Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.

The attack began Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation."

Russian forces moving from neighboring Belarus toward Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, have advanced closer to the city center in recent days despite the resistance, coming within about 9 miles as of Friday.

Russia has been met by sanctions from the United States, Canada and countries throughout Europe, targeting the Russian economy as well as Putin himself.

For previous coverage, please click here.

Hulu

Two Men at War

A look at the two leaders at the center of the war in Ukraine and how they both rose to power, the difference in their leadership and what led to this moment in history.

Mar 01, 2022, 9:12 PM EST

Lawmakers working to court ambassadors, diplomats ahead of UN vote to condemn Russia

While all eyes in Washington are on President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, some lawmakers have been working the phones to rally support at the United Nations for a resolution before the General Assembly to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and call for a peaceful resolution.

Working with the United States Mission to the United Nations, Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have identified more than a dozen countries to target and called for ambassadors and key diplomats to leverage relationships to build more support for the nonbinding resolution.

"This has been a way for Congress to really play an important role working with the executive branch in getting this done and showing the world that Russia's actions are illegal and should be condemned," Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, a senior member of the committee that is leading the effort, told ABC News.

PHOTO: A service member of pro-Russian troops in a uniform without insignia walks past a truck with the letter "Z" painted on its tent top in the separatist-controlled settlement of Buhas (Bugas), Ukraine, March 1, 2022.
A service member of pro-Russian troops in a uniform without insignia walks past a truck with the letter "Z" painted on its tent top in the separatist-controlled settlement of Buhas (Bugas), as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, March 1, 2022.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

The vote "is an opportunity for countries to take a stand, and it's especially a chance for the United States to demonstrate leadership among the nations of the world," he said.

"President Biden and his administration, and now Congress, I believe, have demonstrated our ability to marshal our allies to condemn something the world has worked for decades to root out -- which is a sovereign nation invading another."

Republicans have also been working to build support for the measure in the General Assembly, Castro said.

-ABC News’ Ben Siegel

Mar 01, 2022, 8:35 PM EST

Ukrainian foreign minister addresses reports of racism

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the accounts of racism at the border by people of color attempting to flee, tweeting Tuesday, "Ukraine’s government spares no effort to solve the problem."

Germany Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also addressed the reports of racism and discrimination during a powerful speech at the U.N. Assembly on Tuesday.

African residents in Ukraine wait at the platform inside Lviv railway station, on Feb. 27, 2022, in Lviv, Ukkraine.
Bernat Armangue/AP

"Every refugee must receive protection, no matter what their nationality, no matter what their religion, no matter of the color of their skin," Baerbock said.

-ABC News' Kirit Radia and Zoha Qamar

Mar 01, 2022, 7:54 PM EST

Putin will 'put Ukraine in a vice grip,' US official says

Despite debate within the U.S. administration on whether Russia is suffering military setbacks in Ukraine, a senior U.S. official reiterated to ABC News that the invasion will be devastating for Ukraine.

"Putin is going to put Ukraine in a vice grip," the official said, adding that Putin has ratcheted up his determination to carry on.

The dominant analysis within the administration involves Putin acting out with incredible ferocity and intent, believing this is his destiny, the official said.

The massive Russian convoy heading toward Ukraine is just as mighty as it looks from satellite imagery, the official added.

Taking out just half a dozen of those tanks would seriously slow down the convoy, because the roads are surrounded by mud in many places, so it would be difficult for the tanks to maneuver around the crippled vehicles, the official said.

President Joe Biden is under pressure to act, but the U.S. military is wary about any proposals that would bring American troops into open conflict with Russia. The U.S. military is also adamant that about avoiding anything that would trigger conflict, the official said.

-ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz

Mar 01, 2022, 9:13 PM EST

ExxonMobil to stop Russian investments

Oil giant ExxonMobil announced Tuesday it will be ending current and future investments in Russia.

Specifically, it will cease operations at its Sakhalin-1 venture, which the company operates on behalf Japanese, Indian and Russian companies.

"As operator of Sakhalin-1, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of people, protection of the environment and integrity of operations. Our role as operator goes beyond an equity investment," the company said in a statement.

ExxonMobil said its stoppage of investments in Sakhalin-1 will "need to be carefully managed and closely coordinated with the co-venturers."

The company added that it wouldn't invest in future developments in Russia.

Related Topics