Pope Francis said in an interview with the Swiss television company RSI that Ukraine should take the “courage of the white flag” and negotiate with Russia for an end to the war.
The statement obtained by Reuters comes from an interview last month, which has not yet been published.
In the interview, the Pope was asked about his position in the debate between those who think Ukraine should surrender because they are unable to repel Russian forces, and those who argue that it would legitimize Russia’s actions.
– The word negotiate is a brave word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you must have the courage to negotiate, Francis said.
“Standing on the side of the good”
Now Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that waving the white flag is not on the map.
On X, Kuleba writes that the strongest is the one who stands on the side of the good, rather than the one who tries to bring the parties together and call it “negotiations”.
“Our flag is yellow and blue. It is the flag for which we live, die and conquer. We will never raise another flag,” writes Kuleba.
Furthermore, he urges not to repeat the mistakes of the past, and to support the Ukrainians in the fight for their lives.
Kuleba thanks Pope Francis for his “constant prayers for peace” but also takes the opportunity to call on him to visit Ukraine to show his support.