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.

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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 08, 2022, 2:05 AM EST

World Bank approves $723 million in emergency support for Ukraine

The World Bank said its board approved a package of loans and guarantees for Ukraine totalling $723 million.

The funding will help the Ukrainian government pay for government services, “including wages for hospital workers, pensions for the elderly, and social programs for the vulnerable,” the bank said in a statement on Monday.

The bank said it's preparing an additional $3 billion in support for Ukraine and neighboring countries, which have taken in more than 1.7 million refugees since the Russian invasion began.

Children look on from a train window as they arrive from Lviv, fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the station in Przemysl, Poland, March 7, 2022.
Yara Nardi/Reuters

“The World Bank Group is taking quick action to support Ukraine and its people in the face of the violence and extreme disruption caused by the Russian invasion,” World Bank President David Malpass said in a statement. “The World Bank Group stands with the people of Ukraine and the region. This is the first of many steps we are taking to help.”

The funding announced on Monday includes $350 million in supplemental loans, along with guarantees totalling $139 million from the Netherlands and Sweden, the bank said. Grant financing totalling $134 million will come from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland. Japan is providing $100 million in additional financing, the bank said.

Mar 07, 2022, 8:21 PM EST

Officials concerned Russia may strike supply line to Ukraine

There have been monumental efforts, especially by Poland, to get weapons into Ukraine and to the front lines.

But a senior official told ABC News there are indications Russia may attack one of those supply chains in Poland before it gets to Ukraine, potentially using air power.

Russian forces have created heavily fortified areas from which to launch long-range artillery, the official said, meaning they can shell cities from a distance rather than send troops into them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested air power assistance in order to destroy these fortified areas.

Ukrainians have seen success in attacking Russian resupply areas, mostly in the north but also among smaller, moving groups.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

Mar 07, 2022, 7:46 PM EST

Zelenskyy appears in his office for 1st time since invasion began

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has filmed himself from the street just outside his office, but for the first time since the invasion began, he posted a video message from inside.

“We’re not scared, because you’re not scared,” he told Ukrainians who have taken up arms and told Russia it is not welcome.

“So, I stay here at Bankova Street,” Zelenskyy said. “I’m not hiding from anyone and not afraid of anyone as long as it takes to win in this war, our truly patriotic war.”

In this screen grab taken from a video, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from his office on March 7, 2022.
Office of the President of Ukraine/YouTube

The latest address was filmed as a selfie in which he showed a view of Kyiv on Monday night.

“This is Kyiv at night outside the window. This is our office. Monday night. You know, we’re used to saying Monday is a hard day,” he said. “But the country is at war now, so every day is Monday.”

-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou

Mar 07, 2022, 7:23 PM EST

Nuclear research facility damaged by shelling in Kharkiv

Ukraine’s national nuclear regulator told the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday that a new nuclear research facility producing radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications had been damaged by shelling in the city of Kharkiv on Sunday.

The incident did not cause any increase in radiation levels at the site.

The nuclear material in the facility is always subcritical, the IAEA said, and the inventory of radioactive material is very low, so the damage reported would not have any radiological consequence.

Eight of Ukraine’s 15 reactors are currently operating, the IAEA said, citing Ukraine’s nuclear regulator.

IAEA Director General Grossi noted there have been several episodes compromising safety at Ukraine’s nuclear sites, including a recent fire at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, where two reactors are still operational.

-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou

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