Pope Francis Expresses Concern over Situation in Ukraine

Pope Francis, on Wednesday, expressed his concern over the recent incidents and tensions in Ukraine.

The Pope said - in a press statement reported by the British "Sky News" network - that the threat of war in Ukraine caused "great pain in my heart" and condemned actions "destabilising coexistence among nations and discrediting international law".

He called on politicians to aviod any decisions that would cause more suffering to human beings.

It is worth mentioning that, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed, on Wednesday, the European Union (EU) and US sanctions against Russia, after recognizing the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

“The future of European security is being decided now, here in Ukraine”, Zelensky said in a speech, noting that his country expects additional European support.

Moreover, he also stressed that the recent developments regarding Ukraine are a “unilateral departure from the Minsk Protocol,” describing Moscow’s decision to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk as “another act of aggression against Ukraine.”