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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US targets Russian oil refining sector with export controls

The U.S. Commerce Department announced restrictions on certain goods used to refine oil preventing them from going into Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The restrictions build upon a 2014 rule put in place on the Russian deepwater oil and gas exploration and extraction industries, by denying such items and placing restrictions on a wide variety of items necessary for refining oil.

"These actions will further restrict access to U.S. commodities, software, and technology as part of our ongoing efforts to degrade Russia’s ability to acquire the items it needs to sustain its military aggression," the Commerce Department said in a statement.

The U.S. also added 91 entities to its "Entity List," banning them from use in the U.S. for their involvement in, contributions to or support of Russian security services, military and defense sectors and military and/or defense research and development efforts, the Commerce Department said.

“With each passing day, as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, it finds itself with fewer places to turn for economic and material support,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.

She added, “The United States and our allies and partners will continue to stand strong with the people of Ukraine and today’s actions will further restrict Russia’s access to revenue to support its aggression.”

-ABC News' Luke Barr


More than 700,000 refugees arrived in Poland, president says

More than 700,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed the border into Poland, President Andrzej Duda told reporters Friday.

When asked whether he was concerned the conflict in Ukraine will spill into Poland, Duda said, "We are a NATO member, I believe in NATO. NATO is the strongest alliance in the world. Much stronger than Russia and any other aggressor in the world."

"We cooperate with our allies. Americans are not far from here on our land," Duda said.

Duda told reporters that Poland will welcome refugees with open hearts. He said they're doing everything in their power to expedite the entry process into Poland, no matter what passport they have.

He said some without documents have been allowed into the country.
Duda had just finished touring a border crossing facility in Korczowa where he met with refugees who walked across the border in groups of at least 50 people at a time.

-ABC News' Christopher Donato and Marcus Moore


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."


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.

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