Pope Francis Calls On Russia And Ukraine To Ease Tensions At The Border

Ukrainian tanks in the border region. (Wikimedia Commons / OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, has voiced concern regarding the conditions that are occurring on the border between Ukraine and Russia.

The mobilization of Russian military power to the border region of Ukraine, made Pope Francis concerned and called on both sides to exercise restraint, as well as ease tensions between the two countries.

Launching Vatican News, this appeal was conveyed by Pope Francis after reading the Regina Coeli prayer and greeting the public in St. Peter's Square, Vatican on Sunday, April 18.

In remarks to the public gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday, the Grand Pope said he was observing the military buildup in western Russia with "great fear".

"Please, I sincerely hope that the escalation of tensions can be avoided, and conversely, the movement made can increase mutual trust and support reconciliation and peace which is very necessary and desirable", said the Pope, launching Euronews, Monday, April 19.

"Pay close attention to the difficult humanitarian situation facing the population, to whom I express my closeness and for whom I invite prayers", continued Pope Francis.

In recent weeks Russia has deployed 41,000 troops near the border with eastern Ukraine and another 42,000 troops in Crimea.

The military mobilization has been described by the United States and NATO as the largest in the region, since Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Meanwhile, Russia said the construction was part of a "readiness exercise" held in response to what it claimed was a continuing threat from NATO and a "provocation" from Ukraine.

The United States and Russia were involved in tensions over this situation, with Washington planning to send two of its warships to the Black Sea. A move that Russia has criticized.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by Russian news agencies as warning US warships in the Black Sea to keep their distance, saying the risk of an unspecified incident was very high.

"There is absolutely nothing the American ships can do near our shores, this is purely provocative. Provocative in the immediate sense of the word, they are testing our strength, playing on our nerves. They will not succeed", he said quoted by Reuters Tuesday, April 12.

"We warned the United States that it would be better for them to stay away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast. It was for their own good", he continued.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military announced it was deploying tanks and artillery near the Russian-annexed Crimea border, Wednesday, April 14.

The deployment of tanks and artillery comes a day after US President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss increasing Russian troops near eastern Ukraine and in Crimea.

The Ukrainian military said the deployment of tanks and artillery was part of a drill to beat back tankers and infantry who tried to break through its defenses.

Nonetheless, the Russian Presidency said it had 'positively' accepted an invitation from United States President Joe Biden for a bilateral meeting.

United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are known to have spoken on the phone last week. According to the White House, President Biden has stressed the United States' steadfast commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.