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
Facebook restrictions in Russia becoming more extensive, agency says
Facebook restrictions in Russia are becoming more extensive, according to internet monitoring agency NetBlocks.
The restrictions impact internet providers including Rostelecom and Beeline, according to NetBlocks.
They follow restrictions placed on Twitter and Facebook in recent days that have caused some content to take an extremely long take to load, if at all, on major providers, making the platforms "largely unusable," NetBlocks reported.
Circumvention is possible using VPN services.
The independent Russian news site Meduza also reported Thursday that it is inaccessible for some readers in Russia.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou and Patrick Reevell
Volkswagen suspends production of cars in Russia, stops exports
Volkswagen is the latest automaker to pause its business in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
The German car company announced Thursday that its board has decided to stop the production of cars in Russia "until further notice."
It also decided to immediately stop vehicle exports to Russia, Volkswagen said.
"We are convinced that a sustainable solution to the conflict can only be found on the basis of international law," the company said in a statement. "With the extensive interruption of business activities in Russia, the Executive Board is reviewing the consequences from the overall situation, during this period of great uncertainty and upheaval,"
Volkswagen has production sites in Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod.
Earlier this week, General Motors and Volvo Cars said they will suspend vehicle exports to Russia until further notice. Mercedes Benz said Wednesday it will pause exports and manufacturing in Russia until further notice. Ford has also suspended its operations in the country.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
US grants temporary protected status to Ukrainians
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted Ukrainians with temporary protected status (TPS) amid the conflict with Russia, officials said.
"Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. "In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United States."
Individuals must have continuously resided in the U.S. as of March 1 to be eligible; Ukrainians who arrive after that date will not be eligible. The designation, which will last at least 18 months, allows migrants not otherwise in the U.S. on a legal basis to continue to live and work in the country and not be subject to deportation during that time.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement paused deportations to Ukraine as of Thursday, an agency spokesperson confirmed to ABC News.
A country may be designated for TPS due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters or "extraordinary and temporary conditions." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security noted the conditions Ukrainians might face if they are repatriated home.
"This invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis with significant numbers of individuals fleeing and damage to civilian infrastructure that has left many without electricity or water or access to food, basic supplies, shelter and emergency medical services," the department said.
The announcement follows pressure from both sides of the aisle to extend TPS to Ukrainians in the U.S. as the war continues.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applauded the Biden administration for "taking decisive action so that Ukrainians can stay safely in America,"
"The United States stands with the people of Ukraine," he said in a statement.
-ABC News' Aaron Katersky, Conor Finnegan and Luke Barr
White House reiterates its opposition for 'no-fly' zone over Ukraine
President Joe Biden is opposed to the idea of a 'no-fly' zone over Ukraine because he doesn’t want American service members directly fighting Russians, the White House said Thursday.
"The reason why that has not been a step the president has been willing to take or we have been interested in taking is because a no-fly zone requires implementation," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing.
"It would require essentially the U.S. military shooting down Russian planes and prompting a potential direct war with Russia, the exact step that we want to avoid."
Earlier Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for a 'no-fly' zone and said that if nations didn’t want to establish one, they should send him planes.
Psaki suggested the White House viewed sending planes in the same vein as establishing a 'no-fly' zone.
"I’m not going to get into more details of what the Department of Defense may or may not consider," Psaki said. “We are not considering taking steps that would put us in direct conflict with Russia."
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson