KYIV: Ukraine on Sunday rejected Pope Francis’s call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing “never” to surrender after the pontiff said Ukraine should “have the courage to raise the white flag”.
The backlash from Ukrainian officials came after the 87-year-old Catholic leader made remarks in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RTS, urging Kyiv to negotiate with Russia, which has occupied significant portions of Ukrainian territory in its offensive.
Responding to the Pope’s remarks, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba declared, “Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.”
Pope Francis’s Statement Stirs Controversy
The Vatican clarified that the Pope’s use of the phrase “white flag” was intended to convey a cessation of hostilities and negotiation for peace. However, Ukrainian officials compared the suggestion to historical instances of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi Germany during World War II.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, criticized the Pope’s suggestion, equating it to negotiating with Adolf Hitler and emphasizing the need to confront the aggressor.
Despite the controversy, Ukraine expressed hopes for a potential visit from Pope Francis to the war-torn country, seeking support for its citizens amid the devastating conflict with Russia.
The pontiff’s remarks have stirred diplomatic tensions, with some Western diplomats rejecting the notion of Ukraine surrendering and emphasizing Russia’s aggression in violation of international law.
Pope Francis has previously faced criticism for not explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and has drawn ire from both Ukraine and Russia for various statements related to the conflict.
Last year, the Vatican appointed a top cardinal to facilitate peace negotiations in Ukraine, highlighting ongoing efforts to address the crisis.
