Raise a “white flag”.
Vatican tries to capture Pope’s statement on Ukraine
March 10, 2024, 9:32 a.m
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In the Ukraine war, Kiev is increasingly on the defensive. After Pope Francis called for “courage to negotiate” in an interview, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified the Catholic leader’s statements. This does not mean a capitulation by Ukraine.
The head of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, commented on Pope Francis’ statement. In one of “Vatican News” In the statement released, the Vatican spokesman explained that Francis had spoken of the “white flag” “to signify a cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire achieved with the courage to negotiate.” Bruni emphasized that the pontiff did not mean Kiev’s surrender, but rather a call for a “diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. In one question in the interview, the journalist suggested the metaphor of the white flag, which was taken up by Francis to mean a cessation of fighting through negotiations.
In Ukraine, the term “white flag” used by the Pope was understood as a call to surrender and triggered angry reactions. “It seems strange that the Pope does not call for the defense of Ukraine, does not condemn Russia as an aggressor who is killing tens of thousands of people,” wrote former MP and Deputy Interior Minister Anton Herashchenko on Pope describes a “little faith” with a word from the Bible. Kiev officials have not yet commented. Previous Pope statements have already given Ukrainians the feeling that Francis has more understanding for Russia than for their attacked country.
In an interview with Swiss television RSI, Pope Francis advised Kiev to raise the “white flag”. “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate,” the pope said in the interview published on Saturday. “Don’t be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse,” said the church leader in the conversation, which was reportedly held on February 25, one day after the second anniversary of the outbreak of war.
The Pope said he believes that strength is shown by “those who recognize the situation, who think of the people, who have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate.” There are many actors who are available as mediators, including Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on Friday. NATO member Turkey has maintained its contacts with both Ukraine and Russia since the start of the war.
Ukraine and Russia reject negotiations
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized his peace plan at a joint press conference with Erdogan. This provides, among other things, for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the restoration of the Ukrainian state borders. Russia has rejected peace talks on terms set by Kiev.
In the war that has been going on for more than two years, Ukrainian soldiers on the front are increasingly suffering from a lack of ammunition – partly because of the delay in further military aid from the USA. Almost every night, Russia launches swarms of combat drones against Ukraine.