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

The White House announced it will impose several new sanctions and restrictions on Russia and Belarus on Wednesday. 

The U.S. will be placing export controls on extraction equipment and refining technology needed for Russia's oil and gas industry.  

The White House argues this will degrade Russia's oil and gas industry over time, as it will prevent them from maintaining and upgrading current projects and, to some degree, future projects and likely make Russia a less desirable place for foreign oil and gas companies to invest in. 

The U.S. will also impose full-blocking financial sanctions, its toughest sanctions, on 22 entities that support Russia's defense sector. These entities make combat aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, electronic warfare systems, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles for Russia’s military, according to the White House.

Export controls currently placed by the U.S. on Russia will be extended to Belarus, cutting them off from access to semiconductors and other technology. The U.S. will also sanction entities that support Belarus's military. 

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich confirmed on Wednesday that he will sell the Chelsea soccer club. 

Abramovich said he instructed his team to set up a charity for the victims of the war in Ukraine where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. 

"The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery," Abramovich said in a statement.

Abramovich said the sale of the club will not be fast-tracked. 

"This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club," Abramovich said. "This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club."

-ABC News' Zoe Magee

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Wednesday that 874,026 people have fled Ukraine, more than half of which have fled to Poland, according to its count.

According to the UNHCR, 453,982 Ukrainians have fled to Poland, 116,348 people to Hungry and 79,315 to Moldova. The agency said 69,600 people have fled to other European nations.

The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned of a possible COVID-19 surge in Ukraine and critical oxygen shortages with at least three major oxygen plants in the country closed. 

Ukraine is experiencing a critical shortage of oxygen impacting the ability to treat those patients. 

WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said that just prior to the war, Ukraine was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. 

With low testing rates since the start of the conflict, there's likely to be significant undetected transmissions, Ghebreyesus said. 

Ghebreyesus warned that with low testing and vaccination rates in Ukraine, the risk of large numbers of people developing severe disease increases. 

The WHO said it is seeking ways of accessing oxygen from neighboring countries and ways to deliver it safely, saying there is an urgent need to establish a corridor for humanitarian workers and supplies to reach people in need. 

Ghebreyesus said he is deeply concerned about the unfolding humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. The first WHO shipment meant to meet the needs of 1,000 patients in Ukraine will arrive in Poland on Thursday. It contains 6 metric tons of supplies for trauma care and emergency surgery. 

The WHO has released $5.2 million from their contingency fund for emergencies and said it will need $45 million for Ukraine for the next 3 months and $12.5 million to support neighboring countries in their care for refugees.

-ABC News' Christine Theodorou