Meanwhile, some of Ukraine’s allies in the West are delicately raising the prospect of sending troops. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Saturday that Francis picked up the “white flag ...

Ukraine has denied Russian claims that they have captured a key town in the eastern Donetsk region, but admitted that the situation looks desperate. Russia claimed control of the eastern town of ...

In the past the pope has even suggested Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag,” remarks that were criticized by Kyiv, although relations between the Vatican and Ukraine have improved.