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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Latest headlines:
- Ukrainian air force claims Russia carried out false flag airstrike in Belarus
- UN has credible reports of Russian cluster bomb use, attacks on health care
- Putin claims 'certain positive movements' in Ukraine negotiations
- Russian general prosecutor wants Meta declared 'extremist organization'
- Putin orders Russian military to help volunteer fighters from Middle East travel to Ukraine
TikTok suspends live streaming, new content in Russia
TikTok, owned by the Chinese technology company ByteDance, announced on Sunday that it is immediately suspending live streaming and new content on its platform in Russia.
The video-focused social networking service said the move was in response to Russia's parliament passing a law governing what it called "fake news."
"TikTok is an outlet for creativity and entertainment that can provide a source of relief and human connection during a time of war when people are facing immense tragedy and isolation," TikTok said in a statement. "However, our highest priority is the safety of our employees and our users, and in light of Russia's new 'fake news' law, we have no choice but to suspend live streaming and new content to our video service in Russia while we review the safety implications of this law."
The company said its in-app messaging service will not be affected by the move.
"We will continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services with safety as our top priority," the company said.
On Friday, Russia's parliament amended Russia's criminal code to prohibit the spread of "fake" information and to punish violators with fines or jail terms of up to 15 years.
Russian leaders have previously accused the United States and its Western allies of sowing discord among the Russian people by using social media to disseminate false information about its conflict in Ukraine.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
American Express suspends operations in Russia and Belarus
American Express announced on Sunday that it is suspending operations in Russia and Belarus citing the "unjustified attack on the people of Ukraine."
The move came a day after Visa and Mastercard suspended operations in Russia.
"As a result, globally issued American Express cards will no longer work at merchants or ATMs in Russia. Additionally, cards issued locally in Russia by Russian banks will no longer work outside of the country on the American Express global network," American Express said in a statement.
The company said in its statement that it is also "terminating all business operations in Belarus," which has assisted Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
American Express said the moves are in addition to previous steps it has taken, including halting its relationships with banks in Russia affected by the U.S. and international government sanctions.
During a Zoom call with U.S. lawmakers on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Visa and Mastercard to suspend their operations in Russia, according to a source on the call.
-ABC News' Matt Foster
Wedding held at Kyiv checkpoint
Amid the war in Ukraine, two members of the country's volunteer military forces got married in an outdoor ceremony dressed in camouflage and wearing helmets.
Lesia Ivashchenko and Valerii Fylymonov, both members of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, exchanged marriage vows at a checkpoint in Kyiv surrounded by fellow soldiers, some wearing bullet-proof vests.
The bride carried a bouquet of roses and wore a helmet over her white wedding veil. The bride's helmet was removed when she and the groom sealed the nuptials with a kiss.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the former World Boxing Organization's heavyweight champion, said he was able to greet the newlywed soldiers.
"They have been living in a civil marriage for a long time, and now they have decided to get married. The ceremony took place near one of the checkpoints set up at the entrances to Kyiv," Klitschko said on Twitter and included a video of the wedding.
Klitschko also noted that 457 babies have been born in the capital's maternity hospitals over the past 10 days.
"Life goes on!" Klitschko said. "And we will protect the life of Kyiv, Kyivites, our state!"
-ABC News' Julia Drozd
Management of Europe's largest nuclear power plant under orders of Russia
Management of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, is now operating under orders from the commander of the Russian forces that took control of the site last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Sunday.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that the Russian takeover of the plant violates an indispensable pillar of nuclear safety in which operating staff must be able to fulfill their safety and security duties and make decisions free of undue pressure.
The IAEA also said it has been informed by Ukraine's nuclear regulator that Russian forces have switched off some mobile networks and the internet so that reliable information from the site cannot be obtained through normal channels of communication. The regulator told the IAEA that staff operating at Zaporizhzhya are having major problems communicating outside of the plant because phone lines, email service and fax machines are no longer functioning.
Despite the communication issues, the regulator was able to provide updated information about the operational status of the Zaporizhzhya plant, confirming radiation levels there remain normal.
"I'm extremely concerned about these developments that were reported to me today. Just a few days after I presented the seven main elements of nuclear safety and security to the IAEA Board, several of them are already being compromised," Grossi said. "In order to be able to operate the plant safely and securely, management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions without undue external interference or pressure."
Grossi added, "The deteriorating situation regarding vital communications between the regulator and the Zaporizhzhya NPP is also a source of deep concern, especially during an armed conflict that may jeopardize the country’s nuclear facilities at any time. Reliable communications between the regulator and the operator are a critical part of overall nuclear safety and security."
The nuclear regulator also reported that it is having problems communicating with personnel at the decommissioned Chornobyl Nuclear Power plant, the site of a 1986 nuclear disaster, saying only email communication is possible for now. The staff of more than 200 technical personnel and guards have not been able to rotate since Feb 23.
ABC News' Christine Theodorou
136 civilian deaths reported
A spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said 136 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, including 13 children.
Another 400 Ukrainian civilians have been wounded, spokesperson Liz Throssell said.