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

A third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine ended without any resolution.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Julia Jacobo, Nadine El-Bawab, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Kevin Shalvey, Bill Hutchinson, and Celia Darrough
Last Updated: March 22, 2022, 10:04 AM EDT

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.

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Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 06, 2022, 8:01 AM EST

Pope Francis renews appeal for peace in Ukraine

Pope Francis on Sunday again made a strong appeal for peace in Ukraine during his noontime prayer at the Vatican.

Pope Francis delivers a speech from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 6, 2022.
Andrew Medichini/AP

“Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine. This is not just a military operation, but a war, which sows death, destruction and misery,” the pontiff said from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. “The victims are ever more numerous, as are the people fleeing, especially mothers and children. In that tormented country the need for humanitarian assistance grows dramatically from hour to hour.”

People carrying Ukrainian and peace flags listened from the square.

Nuns hold the Ukranian flag as Pope Francis delivers the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican on March 6, 2022.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images

“I make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that humanitarian corridors are in place, and that aid access to the besieged areas is guaranteed and facilitated, in order to offer vital assistance to our brothers and sisters oppressed by bombs and fear,” the pope said.

-ABC News’ Phoebe Natanson

Mar 06, 2022, 7:34 AM EST

Russia breaks cease-fire in Mariupol, local officials say

Russia has broken Sunday’s temporary cease-fire in Mariupol, two officials with the mayor’s office told ABC News.

The officials said Russia continued shelling during the first two hours of the cease-fire, which had been scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko speaks during an interview with Reuters from Mariupol, Ukraine, March 5, 2022.
Reuters Tv/Reuters

Mariupol officials earlier said an evacuation of residents would begin at noon local time. Sunday’s planned evacuation was to come after a failed cease-fire on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said.

-ABC News’ Matt Gutman

Mar 06, 2022, 7:15 AM EST

US ‘stands ready’ to help detained WNBA star, Blinken says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday reacted to WNBA star Brittney Griner being detained in Russia, saying “whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance and that includes in Russia.”

Blinken noted that he was limited in what he could say, given privacy considerations. He made the comments on Sunday alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu at a press conference.

Moldova's President Maia Sandu, right, listens during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the Presidential Palace, in Chisinau, Moldova, March 6, 2022.
Olivier Douliery/AP

He also brought up efforts to seek the release of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, two Americas who’ve been detained by Russia.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Mar 06, 2022, 5:24 AM EST

1.5 million have fled Ukraine in 10 days: UN

More than 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, the head of the U.N. Refugee Agency said on Sunday.

People wait to board an evacuation train at Kyiv central train station on March 5, 2022.
Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images

"More than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed into neighbouring countries in 10 days -- the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II," Filippo Grandi, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, said on Twitter.

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