Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymr Zelenskyy, are putting up "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.
The attack began Feb. 24 as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation."
Russians moving from Belarus towards Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, don't appear to have advanced closer towards the city since coming within about 20 miles, although smaller advanced groups have been fighting gun battles with Ukrainian forces inside the capital since at least Friday.
Russia has been met by sanctions from the U.S., Canada and countries throughout Europe, targeting Russia's economy and Putin himself.
Ukraine said it wanted a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal, while the Kremlin said it would not announce its position. Russia's negotiators have talked of striking a deal that's in the interests of both sides.
Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov, third from right, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, second right, Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky and other members of the delegations arrive for peace talks in Gomel region, Belarus, Feb. 28, 2022.
Sergei Kholodilin/Pool via AP
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, second from left, and Davyd Arakhamia, faction leader of the Servant of the People party in the Ukrainian Parliament, third right, attend peace talks in Belarus, Feb. 28, 2022.
Sergei Kholodilin/AP
-ABC News' Joe Simonetti
Feb 28, 2022, 11:47 AM EST
Russian advance frustrated by resistance: US official
Russian forces are frustrated by their slow advance, but that could lead them "to be more aggressive and more overt in both the size and scale of their targeting of Kyiv," a senior U.S. defense official said Monday, implying less discriminate attacks with more danger to civilian populations.
The Russians heading south to Kyiv continue to be slowed by fuel shortages and stiff Ukrainian resistance and have only moved about three miles since Sunday, leaving them about 16 miles away from the capital city, the official said.
People take cover as an air-raid siren sounds near an apartment building damaged by recent shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 26, 2022.
Gleb Garanich/Reuters
A Kyiv resident and volunteer prepares a rear post with trenches and boxes of molotov cocktails, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 28, 2022.
Daphne Rousseau/AFP via Getty Images
"We believe they want to encircle Kyiv and it's possible that they could adopt siege tactics there," the official warned. On Sunday the same official said there were indications Russian forces were adopting siege tactics around the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine.
So far, the Russians have fired more than 380 missiles, the official said.
A view of the cars destroyed by recent shelling in Kyiv outskirts on Feb. 28, 2022.
Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images
Putin has committed about 75% of the more than 150,000 forces he had arrayed at the border to the invasion inside Ukraine, according to the official.
There's no indication Belarusian forces are involved or are preparing to join Russia in the invasion, and Russia has not placed nuclear weapons in Belarus, according to the official.
-ABC News' Matt Seyler
Mar 01, 2022, 6:02 PM EST
Putin tells Macron he's willing to stop strikes against civilian targets
According to the Elysée, Russian President Vladimir Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday that he's willing to stop strikes against civilian targets.
A view of a residential building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv on Feb. 26, 2022.
Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images
Putin also told Macron he's willing to preserve civilian infrastructure to secure main roads, including the road south of Kyiv, according to the French government.
Macron and Putin will speak again this week, the Elysée said.
-ABC News' Ibtissem Guenfoud
Feb 28, 2022, 10:18 AM EST
IOC recommends no participation of athletes from Russia, Belarus
The International Olympic Committee said its executive board is recommending prohibiting athletes and officials from Russian and Belarus in international competitions.
The recommendation is "to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants," the IOC said.
