Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought Pope Francis’ help in securing the release of Ukrainians held captive by Russia. During a meeting at the Vatican, Zelenskyy also invited the Vatican to take part in a conference on prisoners of war in Canada. Zelenskyy expressed hope that the war with Russia would end next year during a visit to Berlin where he asked for sustained military support from Germany.
Meanwhile, a Russian court has ordered the arrest in absentia of CNN journalist Nick Paton Walsh for reporting from Ukrainian-held territory in Russia’s Kursk region. Russia has also claimed capturing frontline villages in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine is investigating the death of a journalist in Russian captivity. A woman convicted of treason for selling military information to Ukraine was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years, while two men near Moscow were sentenced to 16 years each for setting railways on fire allegedly on the orders of Ukrainian security services.
Finnish officials suspect a Russian citizen of committing war crimes in Ukraine in 2014 and he is expected to face charges soon. These incidents highlight the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia making territorial gains while facing accusations of human rights violations and espionage. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation in the region.
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