Pope Francis is reported as saying Russia’s use of mercenaries in Ukraine, including Chechens and Syrians, is “monstrous” in an article in the Italian daily newspaper, La Stampa, APA reports.

The piece, which reports the Pope’s conversation with editors of Jesuit European cultural magazine, says the pope suggests the Ukraine war was “perhaps in some way provoked or not impeded”.

He describes Russian troops as “ferocious and cruel”, adding that Ukrainians are “fighting for survival”.

Asked whether he’s in favour of Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis says he will not reduce the complexity of the war to a distinction between “good and bad”.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency