Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin says 'certain positive movements' in negotiations

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

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 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

Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday addressed the sanctions imposed by the West, saying his country will "benefit" in the end.

"Of course it will cause damage to us as well," Putin said during an appearance on a Russian news channel. "We will simply have to postpone some projects a little, acquire additional expertise, just as we did it in a whole range of other projects, including in aviation."

"But in any case we will cope with these tasks before us and will even benefit from this situation in the end, because we will acquire additional expertise," Putin said.

Putin also spoke about Ukraine: "We have absolutely no ill intentions with regard to our neighbors."

He added, "I would advise them against escalating tensions and imposing any restrictions. We are honoring all our obligations, and we will continue to do so."