Ukraine’s sharp criticism of Pope Francis’ statements

according to the report of the international group Tasnim news from the Associated Press, Ukrainian Ambassador to the Vatican, “Andrei Yurash”, followed the Pope’s words with a request for The conversation was compared to Hitler, and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, in response to these statements, asked the Pope to tell Russia to withdraw its army from Ukraine.

Pope Francis used the phrase “the courage to raise the white flag” in an interview with a Swiss channel, part of which was published on Saturday. He expressed his opinion that Ukraine is facing a possible defeat and should be open to peace negotiations with the mediation of international powers. He wrote to these statements: How can we encourage Putin to have the courage to withdraw the (Russian) army from Ukraine? Then peace will result quickly without the need for negotiations.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican also said that lessons should be learned from this conflict. His post on social network X apparently compared the Pope’s words to a request to “talk to Hitler” and “raise a white flag to appease” him.

A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported a “bravely negotiated cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire,” not Ukraine’s surrender. Matteo Bruni said a journalist interviewing Pope Francis used the phrase “white flag” in a question that sparked the controversial remarks.

According to the Associated Press, Throughout the war in Ukraine, the Catholic world leader has maintained the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality, but this policy has been accompanied by an open support for Russia’s rationale for invading Ukraine. For example, Francis has said that NATO is barking at “the door of Russia’s house” by expanding to the east. He announced on Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.

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