Pope to Ukraine: Have the courage to raise the “white flag” of negotiations

From the Reuters news agency, “Pope Francis” today (Saturday) in an interview emphasized the necessity of Ukraine’s exit from the crisis and announced his positions in this regard.

The leader of the world Catholics used the phrase “white flag” about the appropriate behavior of the leaders of Kiev at this time and added: “This is the perception that is correct.”

Francis said: But I think the “strongest side” is the side that thinks about the situation and the people and has the courage to [show] the white flag and negotiate.

He also pointed to the issue of mediation and clarified: the negotiations [peace between Russia and Ukraine] should be done with the help of international powers.

Pope Francis said: “The word negotiation is a brave word. When you see that you have failed and things are not going well, you must have the courage to negotiate.”

According to a Reuters report, this is the first time Francis has used terms like “white flag” or “failed” in discussing the Ukraine war, although he has spoken in the past about the need for negotiations.

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“Don’t be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse,” the world Catholic leader said, adding: “One side may feel humiliated, but how many dead will the war end?”

He mentioned Turkey among the countries that offered to negotiate and said: We should negotiate on time and find a country that can act as a mediator.

Francis said in another part of this conversation about the war between Israel and Hamas: “Negotiation never [means] surrender.”

Pope Francis has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict in Gaza and Ukraine and to guarantee humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

Source: IRNA