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.

For previous coverage, please click here.

Two Men at War
Two Men at War
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.
Stream On Hulu

0

ExxonMobil to stop Russian investments

Oil giant ExxonMobil announced Tuesday it will be ending current and future investments in Russia.

Specifically, it will cease operations at its Sakhalin-1 venture, which the company operates on behalf Japanese, Indian and Russian companies.

"As operator of Sakhalin-1, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of people, protection of the environment and integrity of operations. Our role as operator goes beyond an equity investment," the company said in a statement.

ExxonMobil said its stoppage of investments in Sakhalin-1 will "need to be carefully managed and closely coordinated with the co-venturers."

The company added that it wouldn't invest in future developments in Russia.


Jewish groups condemn attack on Ukrainian Holocaust memorial

Several Jewish groups condemned Russia for a missile attack that struck a Ukrainian Holocaust memorial.

The missiles struck the site of the Babyn Yar massacre where 33,000 Jewish men, women and children were killed in September 1941.

The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum in Poland tweeted, "It’s hard to expect the Russian army to respect the dead if it is not capable of respecting human lives."

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the site last year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the event.

"We stand with him and the Ukrainian people during these critical times," the museum said in a statement.

Israel’s Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, called on the international community to protect sites such as Babyn Yar as well as the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

"Rather than being subjected to blatant violence, sacred sites like Babi Yar must be protected," Yad Vashem said in a statement.

-ABC News' Conor Finnegan


Apple pauses sales in Russia

Apple is taking "a number" of actions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including pausing product sales in Russia, stopping exports into the country and limiting Apple Pay there, according to a statement from the tech giant on Tuesday.

In addition, RT, Russia's state-run news network, and Sputnik have been removed from the AppStore outside of Russia.

Apple has also disabled traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine for safety of Ukrainian citizens.

"We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence," Apple said in the statement. "We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region."

-ABC News' Zunaira Zaki


UK imposes sanctions on Belarus for its role in invasion

The United Kingdom is imposing sanctions on Belarus in response to the role the country is playing in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including facilitating the invasion from within its borders.

Four senior defense officials have been sanctioned, leaving them unable to travel to the U.K. and freeing any of their U.K.-based assets. Also sanctioned are a Belarusian aircraft repair plant and a military semiconductor manufacturer.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said, "We are inflicting economic pain on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and those closest to him. … The [Belarusian President Alexander] Lukashenko regime actively aids and abets Russia’s illegal invasion and will be made to feel the economic consequences for its support for Putin."

-ABC News' Christine Theodorou


Blinken steps into Ukraine after meeting with foreign minister

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken crossed the border into Ukraine Saturday after meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the Korczowa Border Crossing Point.

"The entire world stand with Ukraine," Blinken said, and Kuleba added that he hopes Ukrainians will see this as a "clear manifestation that we have friends who literally stand by us."

Blinken said the sanctions imposed so far against Russia are "producing very, very concrete results" and that the pressure will "grow" until this "war of choice is brought to an end."

When asked directly about helping Kuleba with more firepower, Blinken said, "the support for Ukraine not only has been unprecedented, not only is going to continue, it's going to increase."

Kuleba said Ukraine "appreciates" sanctions that have been announced in the last week, but that more economic and political pressure and "necessary weapons," would "save many lives in Ukraine... many sufferings will be avoided."

Kuleba also said that they are “satisfied" with already arranged supplies of anti-tank weapons and ammunition, but that “it’s no secret” they still want fighter jets and air defense systems.

He also thanked the U.S. for sending stingers, and said they were used on Saturday.

"Just today we shot down three Russian attack aircrafts, which were bombing our cities with the use of stingers but we need -- so to say -- big air defense systems to ensure the safety of our skies. If we lose the skies, there will be much, much more blood on the ground,"Kuleba said.

In response to questions about NATO’s refusal to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, Kuleba said it’s a "sign of weakness," but stayed optimistic that they will change their minds.

"The time will come," he said.

-ABC News' Conor Finnegan and Justin Gomez