Politics
As the United States continues to send billions to Ukraine, further fueling the country’s war with Russia, many observers view the conflict as unwinnable for Ukraine.
Now, that group includes Pope Francis.
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“The Courage of the White Flag”
The Associated Press reports: “Pope Francis said in an interview that Ukraine, faced with possible defeat, should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to bring peace talks ahead.”
“The Pope made his appeal during an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI, which was partially broadcast on Saturday,” the AP noted.
“I think the strongest is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate,” Francis said.
The pontiff suggests that the talks take place with the help of international powers.
Reports suggest that Ukraine is resolute in its position not to engage directly with Russia in peace talks. And President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said that the invaded country must take the lead in negotiations.
The story continued:
Russia is gaining battlefield momentum in the war now in its third year and Ukraine is running out of ammunition. Meanwhile, some of Ukraine’s allies in the West are gently raising the prospect of sending troops.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Saturday that Francis echoed the term “white flag” used by the interviewer. He issued a clarifying statement after the Pope’s “white flag” comments sparked criticism that he was siding with Russia in the conflict.
Throughout the war, Francis sought to maintain the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality, but this was often accompanied by apparent sympathy for the Russian logic in supporting the invasion of Ukraine, as when he observed that NATO was “barking at gateway to Russia” with its expansion towards the east. .
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Pope Francis: ‘Negotiations are never a surrender’
Francis insisted that “the word negotiate is a courageous word.”
“When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you must have the courage to negotiate,” Francis said.
“Negotiations are never a surrender,” he added.
