Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin suspends key US-Russia nuclear treaty in speech denouncing West

The nuclear watchdog of the United Nations is calling for the immediate establishment of a "nuclear safety and security protection zone" around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine.

The recommendation, among several others, was made in a second report released Tuesday by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which deployed an expert mission to the besieged plant last week.

"The IAEA recommends that shelling on site and in its vicinity should be stopped immediately to avoid any further damages to the plant and associated facilities, for the safety of the operating staff and to maintain the physical integrity to support safe and secure operation," the agency wrote in the report. "This requires agreement by all relevant parties to the establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the ZNPP."

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest in Ukraine and all of Europe. Invading Russian forces overran the site and the surrounding town of Enerhodar in early March. The Ukrainian workers have been left in place to keep the plant operating, as it supplies electricity across the war-torn country, but the site is now on the front line between Russian-occupied and Ukrainian-controlled territory. Moscow and Kyiv have traded blame for shelling at or near the plant in recent days and weeks, fueling fears that the conflict could spark a radiation disaster.

The IAEA said it aims to maintain a "continued presence" at the plant to "help further improve and deepen the understanding of the situation."

"While the ongoing shelling has not yet triggered a nuclear emergency, it continues to represent a constant threat to nuclear safety and security with potential impact on critical safety functions that may lead to radiological consequences with great safety significance," the agency wrote in the latest report.

Crippling global sanctions are forcing Russia to turn to North Korea to secure ammunition and other vital supplies for its military, according to a newly declassified American intelligence report.

"The Russian Ministry of Defense is in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for use on the battlefield in Ukraine," a U.S. official said in the report. "This purchase indicates that the Russian military continues to suffer from severe supply shortages in Ukraine, due in part to export controls and sanctions."

Given that Moscow has few viable trade partners, the official added that this could be a continuing trend.

This development, first reported by The New York Times, comes on the heels of Russia securing initial shipments of Iranian drones for use on the battlefield.

U.S. sources have released little information about the quality of the weapons from North Korea or when Russia expects to receive them, but sources within the administration said it's a sign of the Kremlin's desperation.

Sources also told ABC News that there's no indication so far that China played an indirect hand in the deal, but that they're continuing to monitor the situation closely.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday imposed new sanctions on 25 Americans, including one of U.S. President Joe Biden's cabinet secretaries, several U.S. senators and two Hollywood actors, all of whom have been outspoken against Russia's war in neighboring Ukraine.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Sen. Kevin Kramer of North Dakota, as well as actors Ben Stiller and Sean Penn, are banned from entering Russia.

"Through the Armed Services Committee I’ve worked with Republicans, Democrats, and our military leaders to get Ukraine the supplies and weapons needed to beat back this invasion," Kelly, who is up for re-election, said in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday. "If that earns me a sanction by the Kremlin, then that means we’re doing something right."

-ABC News' Libby Cathey

In an exclusive interview with ABC's "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted of more counteroffensives as his country tries to turn the tide of war against Russia.

"It's a very difficult war," Zelenskyy told Muir from the presidential office in Kyiv. "We will regain our territory."

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Zelenskyy signals to David Muir that Kherson is not only counteroffensive underwayUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down with ABC News’ David Muir in Kyiv and addressed the new push against Russian forces.

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