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.

Two Men at War
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.
Stream On Hulu

0

Zelenskyy tells Western countries to send Ukraine fighter jets

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again appealed to Western countries to impose a "no-fly zone" over his country or send him military aircraft to use against Russia.

Zelenskyy on Sunday referred to an attack on the city of Vinnytsia in west-central Ukraine, saying he saw eight missiles hit an airport there.

"The airport is completely ruined. They deliberately destroy our infrastructure. They hit at our peaceful population. We plead with you every day and urge you again, all the world leaders, help us save lives. Impose a no-fly zone, close our skies. Help stop Russian missiles and aircraft dropping bombs," Zelenskyy said.

He added, "I know you can do it. It's your humanitarian duty to protect life and save lives. If you don't do it, help us with military aircraft! If you don't -- you will share blame for the loss of lives of innocent Ukrainians from now on.”

The Financial Times reported on Saturday night that the United States and Poland are working on a deal for Poland to provide Ukraine with fighter jets, which are Russian-made MiG jets.

-ABC News’ Patrick Reevell


Pope Francis renews appeal for peace in Ukraine

Pope Francis on Sunday again made a strong appeal for peace in Ukraine during his noontime prayer at the Vatican.

“Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine. This is not just a military operation, but a war, which sows death, destruction and misery,” the pontiff said from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. “The victims are ever more numerous, as are the people fleeing, especially mothers and children. In that tormented country the need for humanitarian assistance grows dramatically from hour to hour.”

People carrying Ukrainian and peace flags listened from the square.

“I make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that humanitarian corridors are in place, and that aid access to the besieged areas is guaranteed and facilitated, in order to offer vital assistance to our brothers and sisters oppressed by bombs and fear,” the pope said.

-ABC News’ Phoebe Natanson


Russia breaks cease-fire in Mariupol, local officials say

Russia has broken Sunday’s temporary cease-fire in Mariupol, two officials with the mayor’s office told ABC News.

The officials said Russia continued shelling during the first two hours of the cease-fire, which had been scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time.

Mariupol officials earlier said an evacuation of residents would begin at noon local time. Sunday’s planned evacuation was to come after a failed cease-fire on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said.

-ABC News’ Matt Gutman


US ‘stands ready’ to help detained WNBA star, Blinken says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday reacted to WNBA star Brittney Griner being detained in Russia, saying “whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance and that includes in Russia.”

Blinken noted that he was limited in what he could say, given privacy considerations. He made the comments on Sunday alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu at a press conference.

He also brought up efforts to seek the release of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, two Americas who’ve been detained by Russia.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez


Russians running out of food, gas: US official

The Russian forces charging toward Kyiv haven't made progress in the last day as they face Ukrainian resistance and low food and gas supply, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters Tuesday.

However, it could be a deliberate pause, the official said. "Part of the stall could be ... as a result of their own self-determined sort of pause in operations -- that they are possibly regrouping, rethinking, reevaluating," the official said.

The U.S. believes Russian forces "have committed now more than 80% of what was their pre-staged combat power," the official added.

The official said some Russian soldiers weren't told they were going into combat. The official said "not all of them were apparently fully trained and prepared."

The strong Ukrainian resistance has also hurt morale, according to the official.

Russia has now launched more than 400 missiles on Ukraine, the official said. The U.S. believes Russia has launchers that could be used for thermobaric weapons, but cannot confirm their use, the official said.

Russian forces are making the most progress in the south. Russians are attacking Kherson in south Ukraine, which "appears very much to be contested city at this point," the official said.

Russians are also approaching Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine, and while they haven't yet entered the city, "they are close enough now that they could attack Mariupol with long range fires," the official said.

Two towns on the path to Mariupol are believed to be occupied by the Russians, according to the official.

The U.S. believes the Russians hope to move north out of Mariupol up to the heavily-contested city of Kharkiv. The official said they believe Russian forces are trying to encircle Kharkiv.

The U.S. official noted that they've seen "certain risk-averse behavior by the Russian military" over the last week.

"Take the amphibious assault, for instance. They put those troops ashore a good 70 kilometers away from Mariupol because they knew Mariupol was going to be defended and they could put them ashore in an uncontested environment. And they still haven't reached Mariupol," the official said.

"They are not necessarily willing to take high risks with their own aircraft and their own pilots," the official said.

"And of course we're seeing that on the ground -- the fairly slow and steady progress that they have made, and you guys are seeing it for yourselves on the ground where ... units are surrendering, sometimes without a fight."

-ABC News' Matt Seyler