Pope’s ‘White Flag’ Comment Provokes Ukraine’s Counterstatement
Ukraine has firmly rejected Pope Francis’s call for Kyiv to engage in negotiations with Russia and to “have the courage to raise the white flag.” The country’s foreign minister emphasized that Ukraine would only uphold its blue and yellow flag, rejecting any other symbols. The Pope’s comments, appearing in a forthcoming radio interview transcript, were later clarified by a Vatican spokesman, who stated that the Pope was advocating for negotiations to stop the fighting, not endorsing capitulation.
The interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, recorded in February, is set to air on March 20 as part of a cultural program. In response to a question about the ongoing debate regarding Ukraine seeking a settlement with Russia, the Pope was quoted as saying that the strongest one is the one who, in a difficult situation, thinks about the people and has the courage to negotiate under the white flag.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed the nation’s unwavering commitment to its blue and yellow flag, stating on social media that Ukraine would never raise any other flags. The Pope’s comments triggered criticism, with comparisons made to those advocating talks with Adolf Hitler during World War Two.
The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, clarified that the Pope used the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. He emphasized that the Pope made it clear that negotiations are not a surrender.
The criticism extended beyond official channels, with strong reactions on social media, including from the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski questioned whether the Pope would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his army from Ukraine.
The context of these remarks comes as Ukraine faces continued challenges in the conflict with Russia, with Russian troops capturing strategic areas like Avdiivka. More than two years after Russia’s full-scale attack, Ukraine finds itself on the defensive. In the international arena, a bill providing $60 billion to Ukraine has faced obstacles in the US Congress, and European countries are struggling to reach a consensus on supporting Kyiv.
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