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
Kamala Harris to travel to Poland, Romania next week
Vice President Kamala Harris has scheduled a trip to Warsaw, Poland, and Bucharest, Romania, next week, according to her office.
Harris will meet with leaders of both countries from March 9 to March 11, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement.
"They will discuss our continuing support for the people of Ukraine through security, economic, and humanitarian assistance and our determination to impose severe economic consequences on Russia and those complicit in Russia’s invasion," she said.
"The vice president’s meetings will also focus on how the United States can further support Ukraine’s neighbors as they welcome and care for refugees fleeing violence," Singh added.
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson
White House says it's 'looking at ways to reduce' Russian oil imports
The White House on Friday did not rule out banning Russian oil imports to the U.S., saying it was "looking at ways to reduce the import of Russian oil," but showed continued reluctance in light of the impact it would have on energy prices.
“We are considering a range of options, but what's really essential is that we maintain a steady supply of global energy,” Cecilia Rouse, the chair of the White House's Council of Economic Advisers, said at the White House press briefing.
Adding, “Energy is a global market and we do not want to disrupt that market.”
Bloomberg on Friday reported that “the administration is weighing a ban on U.S. imports of Russian crude oil,” and that “conversations are taking place within the administration and with the U.S. oil and gas industry on the impact such a move would have on American consumers and the global supply,” citing unnamed “people familiar with the matter."
An expert at GasBuddy told ABC News on Thursday that banning Russian oil imports would, in fact, likely raise gas prices in the U.S.
Psaki said there wasn’t any “outside event” for which the U.S. was waiting to implement a ban, but that the White House was “mindful of not taking steps” that would raise energy prices for Americans and that the U.S. also wanted to take steps in concert with allies.
There would be a much larger impact on energy prices in Europe, which is a lot more reliant on Russian oil, according to experts.
-ABC News' Ben Gittleson
Russia blocks Twitter
Russia's state censor, Roskomnadzor, added Twitter to its list of banned sites in the country on Friday, following a request from the Russian prosecutor general.
Earlier Friday, Roskomnadzor banned Facebook as the Russian government moves to limit dissent over the war in Ukraine.
-ABC News' Patrick Reevell
Russia claims Ukraine forces were responsible for the attack on Zaporizhzhia
Russia's representative to the United Nations on Friday reiterated the Kremlin's claim that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The representative said Russian forces came under small arms fire by a "Ukrainian sabotage group" that was stationed in a training complex building on site.
The representative claimed that Russian troops returned fire, but that as they departed, Ukrainians set the building on fire.
The Russian representative claimed Ukrainian "radicals" are under the West's "close guardianship and protection," giving them "carte blanche," and allowing them to act like "ISIS terrorists" by "hiding behind civilians and placing heavy weaponry and multiple rocket launchers in residential areas."
Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies have denied these claims.
The UN relief chief also fact-checked the Russian delegate on Monday, saying Russia's claim about Ukraine placing weapons in civilian areas was false.
- ABC News' Conor Finnegan
Senate approves $1.5 trillion funding bill with supplemental aid to Ukraine
The Senate passed a $1.5 trillion government funding bill late Thursday that includes $13.6 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine by a vote of 68-31.
The legislation will now head to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature.
In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki thanked leaders for "getting this bill done" and said Biden "looks forward to signing it into law."
"With these resources, we will be able to deliver historic support for the Ukrainian people as they defend their country and democracy," she said in part.
The supplemental Ukrainian aid is split between defense and nondefense funding. The $1.5 trillion also includes funding for many of the administration's priorities as well as sizable amounts for defense spending.
-ABC News' Allie Pecorin and Justin Gomez