The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has publicly expressed its wishes for the Ukraine and Russia to resolve their differences without gunfire or bloodshed.

“We join the Ukranian Bishops of the United States in praying for a peaceful resolution to the situation in #Ukraine,” the bishops posted on Facebook earlier this week. 

The border situation between Russia and the Ukraine has been tense for a couple of months. Western media outlets first noticed that Russia had sent about 70,000 soldiers to the region, when the Washington Post reported the activity on Dec. 3. That report indicated Russia would send more troops to the region over the next few months. 

Earlier this week the Kremlin made a public assurance that the military would back away from the border. But a Reuters report on Wednesday disputed that and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s assertion false. 

“A senior Western intelligence official said the risk of Russian aggression against Ukraine would remain high for the rest of February and Russia could still attack Ukraine "with essentially no, or little-to-no, warning,” Reuters reported. 

Pope Francis had tweeted about the situation, asking for prayers of intercession. "The news coming out of Ukraine is very worrying. I entrust to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, and to the conscience of political leaders, every effort on behalf of peace. #PrayTogether,” the Pope tweeted on Sunday.