NATO Secretary General’s reaction to the Pope’s “white flag” request from Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: Ukraine needs more military assistance before starting negotiations for a peace agreement with Russia. His comments came after world Catholic leader Pope Francis told Swiss radio and television RSI that Kiev should have “the courage of the white flag” and open peace talks with Moscow.

Stoltenberg, speaking to Reuters on Monday, rejected the idea of ​​the world Catholic leader, saying that more military support for Ukraine is a way to achieve a peaceful solution through negotiations.

The UN Secretary General added: “What happens around the negotiating table is inextricably linked to power on the battlefield.” This is not the time to talk about Ukrainians surrendering. It will be a tragedy for Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us.”

Earlier, Kiev rejected the statements of Pope Francis. In a statement on Sunday, not directly referring to the pope’s interview but released shortly after the text was released, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that religious figures trying to help Ukraine should not “practically come between someone who wants to live and Someone who wants to destroy you, mediate.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitri Kolheba later asserted that Ukraine “will never raise a flag other than its national flag”.

On Monday, Kyiv summoned the papal ambassador to Ukraine, Archbishop Vysvaldas Kolbokas, to discuss the pope’s remarks. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Kiev expressed its disappointment with the statement, which “legitimizes the right of the strongest” and “encourages Russia to ignore the norms of international law”.
Kiev insists that the settlement A peaceful resolution of the conflict with Moscow can only be achieved on its terms, including the non-negotiable return of all former Ukrainian territories, the withdrawal of all Russian forces, and the creation of an international tribunal for Russia’s leadership. Zelensky also recently said that Russia will not be invited to peace talks expected to be held by its Western backers in the near future.

Russia called the idea of ​​negotiations without its participation “ridiculous”. Moscow welcomed Pope Francis’ request for peace talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the pope’s ideas echoed views expressed by Russia that talks are the “preferred way” to end the conflict.