Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation” into Ukraine began on Feb. 24, with troops crossing the border from Belarus and Russia. Moscow's forces have since been met with “stiff resistance” from Ukrainians, according to U.S. officials.
Russian forces retreated last week from the Kyiv suburbs, leaving behind a trail of destruction. After graphic images emerged of civilians lying dead in the streets of Bucha, U.S. and European officials accused Russian troops of committing war crimes.
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.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 25, 2022, 5:20 AM EDT
Russia claims to have seized 5 more localities in Ukraine
Russia claimed Friday that its forces had captured five more localities in Ukraine.
"The grouping of troops of the Russian Armed Forces advanced another 4 kilometers overnight and captured Batmanka, Mikhailovka, Krasny Partizan, Stavki and Troitskoe," the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the claim.
Mar 25, 2022, 5:10 AM EDT
US, EU announce plan to reduce Europe's reliance on Russian gas
U.S. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Friday a joint task force to "reduce Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and strengthen European energy security," amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Named the "Task Force for energy security," the group will be chaired by one representative from the White House and one representative from the European Commission. They will work to ensure energy security for Ukraine and the European Union ahead of the next two winters by focusing on two main goals -- diversifying liquefied natural gas supplies and reducing demand for natural gas, according to a fact sheet from the White House.
A gas price is displayed at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, March 9, 2022.
Michael Probst/AP, File
As part of the agreement, the United States will work with international partners to put more liquefied natural gas on the EU market, pledging to make at least 15 billion cubic meters available in 2022, with increases expected going forward.
The White House stressed that the task force would also work with an eye towards clean energy, looking to reduce greenhouse gas intensity of all new liquefied natural gas infrastructure as well as demand for liquefied natural gas by "accelerating market deployment of clean energy measures." Those measures include expediting planning of clean energy projects, like wind and solar power, and using smart thermostats and heat pumps in homes.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Mar 24, 2022, 5:44 PM EDT
Biden meets with European Council
U.S. President Joe Biden's final meeting in Brussels on Thursday was with the European Council.
"They reviewed their ongoing efforts to impose economic costs on Russia and Belarus, as well as their readiness to adopt additional measures and to stop any attempts to circumvent sanctions," the White House said in a statement.
A man walks holding bags near a burning warehouse hit by a Russian shell in the suburbs of Kyiv, March 24, 2022.
Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
The leaders said they willl continue "providing humanitarian assistance, including to neighboring countries hosting refugees, and underscored the need for Russia to guarantee humanitarian access to those affected by or fleeing the violence," according to the White House.
A man walks on the debris of a burning house, destroyed after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 24, 2022.
Felipe Dana/AP
They also "discussed EU-U.S. cooperation to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, accelerate the transition to clean energy, as well as the need to respond to evolving food security needs worldwide," the White House said.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Mar 24, 2022, 5:09 PM EDT
Russian official suggests Russia will permanently occupy Mariupol
Andrey Turchak, the secretary general of United Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ruling party, has suggested Russia will permanently occupy the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol as its forces move closer to capturing the city.
People stand in a long queue during the distribution of humanitarian aid near damaged blocks of flats in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine March 24, 2022.
Pavel Klimov/Reuters
A tank destroyed in fighting during Ukraine-Russia conflict is seen in front of a residential building, in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, Ukraine, March 23, 2022.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
Though Russia is responsible for Mariupol's destruction, Turchak said the party has opened a “humanitarian center” in Mariupol and pledged Russia would rebuild houses and businesses destroyed in the fighting.
"Russia will definitely rebuild all of this," Tuchak said, adding, “No one should have any doubts -- Russia is here forever."
Children play in front of a building damaged in fighting during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, Ukraine, March 23, 2022.