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
'Fake news' law passes in Russia carrying stiff jail sentences
A new Russian law could send people to prison for up to 15 years for posting "fake news" about the war.
Journalists and media in Russia will now only be able to report what is happening as the Kremlin reports it.
Duma, Russia's legislative body, passed the rule Friday. It will be sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin's desk for it to be signed into law.
-ABC News' Tanaya Stukalova
Arctic Council to boycott future talks with Russia: Reuters
The Arctic Council on Friday said it would boycott future talks with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Russia currently holds the chairmanship until 2023, according to a report by Reuters.
The intergovernmental forum is designed to promote cooperation between the eight Arctic states of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the U.S.
The council said it is canceling all of its official meetings, including those of its subsidiary bodies, until further notice. Its next meeting was scheduled in Russia this May.
This comes at a sensitive time when climate change is opening up the Arctic to resource exploitation.
-ABC News' Tracy Wholf
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
US Restricts the export of luxury goods to Russia, Belarus
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Friday that it will restrict the export of U.S. luxury goods to Russia and Belarus, as well as "certain Russian and Belarusian oligarchs and malign actors located worldwide," as a result of their actions in Ukraine.
The Department of Commerce said it will impose restrictions on the export, reexport and transfer of luxury items including certain spirits, tobacco products, clothing items, jewelry, vehicles and antique goods.
"Putin’s war of choice in Ukraine continues to take a devastating toll on innocent civilians in Ukraine, fueling one of the worst humanitarian crises Europe has seen in decades," Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement.
Raimondo added, "Putin and the oligarchs who fund him have gotten rich off of Putin’s rampant corruption and the exploitation of the Russian people. We will not allow Putin and his cronies to continue living in opulence while causing tremendous suffering throughout Eastern Europe. Today’s action takes away another source of comfort and reminds them that Russia is increasingly isolated."
-ABC News' Luke Barr