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.
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.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 03, 2022, 2:44 PM EST
Macron says Putin 'refuses to cease his attacks on Ukraine'
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "At this point, he refuses to cease his attacks on Ukraine. Maintaining the dialogue to avoid human tragedies is absolutely necessary. I will continue my efforts and contacts. We must avoid the worst."
He added, "A dialogue to protect populations, to obtain moves that will avoid human tragedies, to put an end to this war: this is the meaning of my commitment alongside President Zelensky and the international community. My determination is and will remain total."
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou and Ibtissem Guenfoud
Mar 03, 2022, 1:18 PM EST
Canada will accept refugees from Ukraine with no limit on how many can apply
Canada announced a new program on Thursday that will "cut through red tape" to expedite arrivals for Ukrainians seeking temporary or permanent residency, said Sean Fraser, Canada's minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship.
"There is no limit on how many can apply," Fraser said.
"All those who arrive in Canada as part of these measures will be eligible for open work permits and will quickly be able to work if they so choose," Fraser noted.
He went on, "Our commitment to Ukrainians goes beyond the historic ties between Canada and Ukraine and beyond the cultural connections between our people. It's a commitment to humanity."
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
Mar 03, 2022, 12:47 PM EST
US expected to announce new sanctions against Russian oligarchs
The U.S. Treasury and State Departments are expected to announce new sanctions against Russian oligarchs on Thursday, according to a White House official.
The sanctions will expand upon recently announced EU sanctions, block specific oligarchs’ travel to the U.S. and target the oligarchs’ relatives, according to the official.
-ABC's Ben Gittleson
Mar 03, 2022, 12:47 PM EST
UN children's agency says half a million children have fled Ukraine
One week into the conflict, half a million children have already fled Ukraine to neighboring countries with the number continuing to grow, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund said on Thursday.
"Millions of children could be caught up in the violence as the fighting intensifies in and around the country’s major urban centers," UNICEF said in a statement.
Since Feb. 24, 17 children have been killed and 30 others have been injured, according to reports the UN has been able to verify. UNICEF said the true number of casualties is "likely far higher."
“The use of explosive weapons in cities could quickly turn this crisis into a catastrophe for Ukraine’s children,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
“There are no armed operations of this scale that do not result in children being harmed. The consequences will be tragic,” Khan said.
A woman holds her child as she tries to board into a free train to Poland at a train station in Lviv, western Ukraine, March 3, 2022.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images
The conflict has sparked massive population displacement that could soon constitute one of Europe’s largest refugee crises since World War II, UNICEF warned.
UNICEF said hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed and there are reports of schools, orphanages and health centers sustaining heavy damage.
"Humanitarian needs across the country are multiplying by the hour," UNICEF said.
The country is running low on critical medical supplies and has had to halt urgent efforts to curb a polio outbreak, UNICEF said.
