Ukraine’s anger over Pope Francis’ “white flag” proposal

“Dmytro Kulba”, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, pointing out that during the Second World War, Pope Pius XII followed a policy of neutrality, wrote: “When talking about the white flag, It comes, we know the strategy of the Vatican from the first half of the 20th century.”

Kolba asked the Vatican to “refrain from repeating the mistakes of the past and support Ukraine and its people.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine added: “Our flag is a yellow and blue flag. This is the flag by which we live, die and win. We will never raise another flag.”

Pope Francis, the leader of the world Catholics, in an interview with the Swiss television channel RSI, which was published on Saturday, spoke of the “courage to show the white flag” on behalf of Ukraine and suggested that the parties resume peace talks.

As reported by Rasha Today, the Pope said in response to a discussion between the Ukrainian people about the courage to surrender and show the white flag and that surrender means legitimizing the use of force in the international arena. . But in my opinion, the one who is powerful is the one who watches the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage to show the white flag and negotiate.”

Emphasizing that negotiations are never about giving up, the Pope added: “When you see that you have failed and things are not going well, you must have the courage to negotiate.” You may be ashamed, but it prevents people from being killed. Negotiate in time and you will see that the countries mediate.”

As Ukraine protested, papal spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that the term “white flag” was first used by the interviewer, and that Pope Francis had emphasized that “negotiations are never surrender.” Bruni added that the Pope hopes “some humanity can be found to create the conditions for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace.”

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the pope’s pacifist offer in a video address Sunday evening. Without mentioning Francis by name, Zelenskiy said that the Church in Ukraine “is with the people, not two and a half thousand kilometers away from somewhere and practically mediates between the one who wants to live and the one who wants to destroy you.”

Some of Kiev’s staunchest supporters have also condemned Pope Francis. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics wrote on X social network: “One should not surrender to evil, one should fight it and defeat it, so that the devil raises the white flag and surrenders.”

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also wrote: “For balance, how about encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine?”

Meaningful peace talks between Russia and Ukraine failed in the spring of 2022, and both sides have accused each other of making unrealistic demands. Russian President Vladimir Putin later said the Ukrainian delegation had initially agreed to some of Russia’s terms during talks in Istanbul in March 2022, but then abruptly pulled out of the deal. Zelensky also approved a law that would ban peace talks with Russia while Putin is in power.