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 04, 2022, 10:22 AM EST

Putin says Russia will 'cope' with sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday addressed the sanctions imposed by the West, saying his country will "benefit" in the end.

"Of course it will cause damage to us as well," Putin said during an appearance on a Russian news channel. "We will simply have to postpone some projects a little, acquire additional expertise, just as we did it in a whole range of other projects, including in aviation."

"But in any case we will cope with these tasks before us and will even benefit from this situation in the end, because we will acquire additional expertise," Putin said.

Putin also spoke about Ukraine: "We have absolutely no ill intentions with regard to our neighbors."

He added, "I would advise them against escalating tensions and imposing any restrictions. We are honoring all our obligations, and we will continue to do so."

Mar 04, 2022, 9:08 AM EST

Over 1.2 million refugees have fled Ukraine: UNHCR

More than 1.2 million people have been forced to flee Ukraine since Russian forces invaded on Feb. 24, according to the latest figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Over 50% of the refugees from Ukraine are in neighboring Poland, UNHCR figures show.

People, fleeing Ukraine, register for a bus which will take them to Germany, at the train station in Przemysl, Poland, March 3, 2022.
Markus Schreiber/AP

UNHCR spokesperson Chris Melzer said the refugee flow from Ukraine into Poland appears to be slowing down, for now.

"The flow of people is lessening," Melzer told ABC News on Friday. "The lines are much shorter."

Melzer, who is currently at Budomierz on the Polish border, has been hearing reports of similar scenes at other crossings. But he cautioned that this doesn't mean the situation is over.

"The process has been streamlined and less people seem to be coming," he said. "Here, there are about two-hour waits for cars and pedestrians are passing through freely."

-ABC News' Zoe Magee

Mar 04, 2022, 8:33 AM EST

Zelenskyy alleges Russia is planning to stage 'fake rally' in Kherson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian forces of planning to stage "a fake rally in support of Russia" in the strategic port city of Kherson.

In a televised address Friday morning, Zelenskyy claimed that Russian troops were busing in "outsiders" from Moscow-annexed Crimea and "trying to recruit traitors from among the locals" to demand that Kherson be a Russian city.

"I appeal to the residents of Kherson: You can stop that, show them that Kherson is your city," Zelenskyy said. "We will not let go of what is ours."

A military tank is seen on a street of Kherson, Ukraine, March 1, 2022, in an image from video.
Obtained by Reuters

"Show them our flags, sing our anthem, show your spirit, let them know that they can only stay in Kherson temporarily and would never be able to claim ownership of Kherson or any other city of our country," he added.

Russian forces took control of Kherson in southern Ukraine on Wednesday night. The Ukrainian government said earlier Friday that Russian troops have taken over Kherson's television tower and are broadcasting Russian channels, suggesting that Moscow may be planning to permanently occupy the city.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell

Mar 04, 2022, 7:46 AM EST

Russia has prepared puppet government for Kyiv: US official

Russia has selected and prepared a puppet government to install in Kyiv once its forces seize the Ukrainian capital, a senior U.S. administration official told ABC News.

People remove personal belongings from a burning house after being shelled in the city of Irpin, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 4, 2022.
Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. intelligence believes Russian troops will ultimately crush Kyiv and decapitate its government, amid mounting evidence of indiscriminate shelling and a barrage against civilian targets across Ukraine, according to the official.

A satellite image shows a military convoy near Invankiv, Ukraine, Feb. 28, 2022.
Maxar Technologies

The official expressed concern that Ukraine lacks air power and what air force they had has been attacked, allowing Russia to mass its forces en route to Kyiv.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

Related Topics