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, 3:58 PM EST

Russian forces 95% intact on Day 13 of invasion: US official

Despite losing troops, ground vehicles and aircraft in the fighting, Russia’s invading forces remain roughly 95% intact, a senior U.S. defense official said at a press briefing Tuesday.

Ukrainian resistance efforts are continuing to slow down Russian forces, particularly in the north, where they have not moved any closer to Kyiv’s city center since yesterday, the official said. Fighting and resistance against the Russian advance on Chernihiv and Kharkiv have been reported as well, the official said.

Russian air and missile attacks are increasing as the ground effort has been frustrated, and bombardment of the capital continues, he added. Much of the airspace of Ukraine, in the north and south, is under some umbrella of “Russian surface-to-air missile capability,” the official said.

"We still have every reason to assess that their effort is to encircle and force the surrender of Kyiv,” the official said.

A man walks between houses destroyed during air strikes on the central Ukranian city of Bila Tserkva, March 8, 2022.
Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images

In the south, Russians advancing to the northwest out of Crimea are about 25 miles out of Mykolayiv, the official said. Russian forces have isolated the city of Mariupol and continue to bombard it, he added.

In addition, Ukraine’s military is struggling to overcome shortages of fuel and food, he said.

The deconfliction line set up last Tuesday about has been used by the U.S. and Russia about a dozen times now, but so far only for test calls to make sure "somebody's picking up on the other end."

-ABC News' Mattew Seyler

Mar 08, 2022, 3:35 PM EST

Officials 'deeply concerned' about staff and potential nuclear risks at Chernobyl

The safety of the hundreds of staff who are still on duty at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is becoming more precarious, according to multiple agencies.

About 210 personnel have on duty since Feb. 24, the day before Russian military forces entered the disaster site, and have not rotated out, according to the agency.

Nuclear material and facilities demand continuous coverage, which requires employees to operate on a rotation, fixed, or modified shifts, according to a publication from the U.S. Department of Energy. There are many psychological and physiological impacts that can affect work performance, safety, and security without an organization, the material states.

Today, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine told the IAEA that it is becoming increasingly urgent and important for the safe management of the site to replace the current personnel.

While the staff has access to food, water and medicine to a limited extent, the situation is worsening, Ukraine’s nuclear regulator told the IAEA.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, on screen, addresses the UN Security Council,March 4, 2022.The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency open meeting on the attack on Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, on screen, addresses the UN Security Council, March 4, 2022. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency open meeting on the attack on Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant.
Richard Drew/AP

"I'm deeply concerned about the difficult and stressful situation facing staff at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the potential risks this entails for nuclear safety. I call on the forces in effective control of the site to urgently facilitate the safe rotation of personnel there," Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, said in a statement Tuesday.

Ukraine's nuclear regulator also asked the IAEA to lead the international support needed to prepare a plan for replacing the current team, which will include pausing the handling of nuclear material at the site, which includes decommissioned reactors as well as radioactive waste facilities

-ABC News' Christine Theodorou

Mar 08, 2022, 3:29 PM EST

Starbucks suspends operations in Russia 'immediately'

Starbucks announced Tuesday it will immediately suspend all its operations in Russia, condemning the "horrific attacks on Ukraine by Russia."

"We continue to watch the tragic events unfold and, today, we have decided to suspend all business activity in Russia, including shipment of all Starbucks products," the company's chief executive officer, Kevin Johnson, said in a statement.

An employee holds a paper cup at the Starbucks drive-thru cafe, the first one opened in Russia, at the Pushkino retail park outside Moscow, March 6, 2018.
Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images, FILE

The company said its licensed partner agreed to immediately pause store operations and provide support for its nearly 2,000 workers.

"Through this dynamic situation, we will continue to make decisions that are true to our mission and values and communicate with transparency," Johnson said.

-ABC News' William Gretsky

Mar 08, 2022, 3:10 PM EST

McDonald's to temporarily close restaurants, pause operations in Russia

McDonald's announced Tuesday it is temporarily closing its restaurants and pausing operations in Russia, as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

"The conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe has caused unspeakable suffering to innocent people. As a System, we join the world in condemning aggression and violence and praying for peace," the company's chief executive officer, Chris Kempczinski, said in a statement.

McDonald's employs 62,000 people in Russia, operating in 850 communities, the company said. It will continue paying salaries for all its employees in Russia.

A view shows a McDonald's restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia, March 8, 2022.
Anton Vaganov/Reuters

"Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine," said Kempczinski.

Kempczinski said it is impossible to predict when the company will be reopening its restaurants.

"We are experiencing disruptions to our supply chain along with other operational impacts. We will also closely monitor the humanitarian situation," Kempczinski said.

-ABC News' William Gretsky

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