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.
For previous coverage, please click here.
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
Putin claims Ukraine invasion going according to plan
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the Ukraine invasion is going strictly according to plan on Thursday.
“I want to say that the special military operation is going strictly in accordance with the schedule, with the plan. All objectives are being successfully attained," Putin said in a televised meeting of his national security council.
“The very course of fighting shows that it is neo-Nazis whom we are fighting against," Putin said.
-ABC News' Patrick Reevell
Talks between Russia and Ukraine delegations end
Talks held between Russia and Ukraine on Thursday have stopped, according to officials.
Ukraine's presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted, "Unfortunately, the results Ukraine needs are not yet achieved."
Russia’s lead negotiator said the two sides agreed to open “humanitarian corridors” for civilians to leave Ukrainian cities.
The negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, who is an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that both sides had agreed to a possible “temporary cease-fire” in some “sectors” connected to the humanitarian corridors.
Medinsky called the result "substantial."
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou and Patrick Reevell
World leaders discuss new humanitarian assistance, disaster relief for Ukraine
President Joe Biden met with the prime ministers of Australia, India and Japan on Thursday where the Quad leaders discussed the conflict in Ukraine.
"The Quad leaders discussed the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and assessed its broader implications. They agreed to stand up a new humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanism which will enable the Quad to meet future humanitarian challenges in the Indo-Pacific and provide a channel for communication as they each address and respond to the crisis in Ukraine," the White House said in a statement.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Macron says Putin 'refuses to cease his attacks on Ukraine'
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "At this point, he refuses to cease his attacks on Ukraine. Maintaining the dialogue to avoid human tragedies is absolutely necessary. I will continue my efforts and contacts. We must avoid the worst."
He added, "A dialogue to protect populations, to obtain moves that will avoid human tragedies, to put an end to this war: this is the meaning of my commitment alongside President Zelensky and the international community. My determination is and will remain total."
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou and Ibtissem Guenfoud