Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin says war was ‘unleashed’ on Russia
The Russian president delivered his annual Victory Day speech.
More than a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the countries are fighting for control of areas in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's forces are readying a spring counteroffensive, but Putin appears to be preparing for a long and bloody war.
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Latest headlines:
WSJ reporter in Russia formally charged with espionage
American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has now been formally charged with espionage, according to Russian state media. The move by Russia comes as a campaign to free him swells, with Senate leaders issuing a bipartisan demand to free him.
The formal charging shows Russia is pressing ahead with putting the journalist on trial, despite a growing outcry that has seen dozens of global media outlets demand his release.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday issued an unusual bipartisan statement calling for Gershkovich’s immediate release, saying "journalism is not a crime."
They also demanded Russia allow consular access to Gershkovich, who U.S. diplomats have still not been allowed to visit 10 days since his arrest, in violation of international rules.
The U.S.’s National Press Club has also now awarded Gershkovich its highest honor for press freedom, praising him for his brave commitment to reporting on Russia despite the risks.
-ABC News' Patrick Reevell
Pentagon reviewing reported leak of classified Ukraine war planning documents to social media
The Pentagon is investigating the reported leak of classified U.S. and NATO documents posted on Twitter and Telegram, a spokesperson said.
The New York Times first reported the investigation.
"We are aware of the reports of social media posts, and the Department is reviewing the matter," Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement provided to ABC News.
The war plans provided statistics on Ukrainian troop and casualty numbers as well as information about weapons deliveries and Ukrainian troop schedules, the New York Times reported.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
Blinken says he views WSJ reporter as 'wrongfully detained' in Russia
At a press conference following a bilateral NATO meeting in Brussels, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters the U.S. is going through a formal process to determine whether it will designate Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as wrongfully detained in Russia, but said he has no doubt that is the case.
"In Evan’s case, we are working through the determination on wrongful detention, and there's a process to do that, and it is something that we are working through very deliberately but expeditiously as well," Blinken answered a WSJ reporter who had asked about the determination.
"I'll let that process play out. In my own mind, there's no doubt that he's being wrongfully detained by Russia, which is exactly what I said to Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov when I spoke to him over the weekend and insisted that Evan be released immediately," Blinken added.
Blinken said he expected the formal process to be "completed soon."
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford
Zelenskyy invited to NATO summit in July
NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that he invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11 and 12.
Zelenskyy will meet with alliance member states, according to Stoltenberg.
-ABC News' William Gretsky
Turkey agrees to start ratifying Finland's NATO bid
Turkey is beginning the process of ratifying Finland's application to join NATO, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday, 10 months after both Finland and Sweden applied to become NATO members in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
"At a critical time for our security, this will make our alliance stronger and safer," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.
The breakthrough came as Finnish President Sauli Niinisto was in Ankara, Turkey, to meet with Erdogan.
Erdogan said Finland fulfilled its part of the agreements and therefore he saw no reason to further delay the ratification process. Erdogan did not provide an update on Sweden's bid.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement, "We encourage Türkiye to quickly ratify Sweden’s accession protocols as well. In addition, we urge Hungary to conclude its ratification process for both Finland and Sweden without delay. … The United States believes that both countries should become members of NATO as soon as possible."
-ABC News' Will Gretsky