Belarus

While Russia and Belarus will not receive formal invitations, the International Olympic Committee says it will not stop athletes from the two countries from participating as neutral contestants.

That's in contrast to the deal worked out after the failed uprising last month. The Kremlin had said the Wagner group leader would be exiled to neighboring Belarus but would not face charges.

Ales Bialiatski was one of the leaders of Belarus' pro-democracy movement, inspiring protests against what activists maintained were fraudulent presidential elections in 2020.

"The world had its say," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, calling Russia's push for annexation "worthless."

Belarusians who see their country's fate as linked to Ukraine's victory are joining an anti-Kremlin resistance that includes activists, ex-spies and a Belarusian brigade fighting for Ukraine.

The British tournament becomes one of the first tennis events to suspend players from the two countries since Russia invaded Ukraine, and excludes several highly ranked players from competition.

Organizers also said that Russians and Belarusians who live elsewhere will still be able to run, just not under their countries' flags. The marathon and 5k are planned for the weekend of April 16.

Evan Neumann is under federal indictment in the U.S. for more than a dozen charges linked to last year's Capitol insurrection. Russian ally Belarus has granted him asylum and protection indefinitely.

Although Belarus is not directly involved in combat in Ukraine, it does play a key role in Russia's war. Here's what to know.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office said a delegation of the Ukrainian government will meet for talks with Russian officials near the Pripyat River in Belarus.