**Pope Francis Calls for Peace Between Russia and Ukraine**
On Sunday, December 15, Pope Francis referred to Russia and Ukraine as “brothers” during a prayer session in Corsica. He called for peace between the two countries, which have been at war since 2022.
The pope’s words were seen as a call for calm and diplomacy. However, his earlier comments on the conflict had sparked controversy in Ukraine. In December, Pope Francis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the situation.
**Russia’s War on Ukraine**
Russia has been waging war against Ukraine for over two years now. The conflict has caused widespread destruction and loss of life. Despite international pressure, Russia continues to assault Ukrainian positions using various tactics and weaponry.
In recent days, Russian forces have stepped up their attacks on key cities such as Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. A drone and missile attack on the city of Mykolaiv left two people injured and damaged an infrastructure facility.
**International Reaction**
The international community has been watching the situation closely. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized the need for “maximum pain” to be inflicted on Russian President Vladimir Putin through additional sanctions and military support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Lithuania and Estonia have imposed sanctions against Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and several government officials over their alleged role in undermining democracy.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Ukrainian authorities have delayed signing an agreement with Russia multiple times. The delays offer the opportunity for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to claim an early victory at the start of his term.
Additionally, North Korean soldiers have allegedly killed eight members of a Russian unit in a “friendly fire” incident. Ukraine’s Security Service has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and detained a suspect believed to be acting on instructions from Russian special services.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com