Pope Francis has ignited controversy with his recent remarks urging Ukraine to consider negotiations to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, drawing swift criticism from Ukrainian officials and European leaders alike.
In an interview with Swiss broadcaster Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana (RSI), Pope Francis suggested that Ukraine should demonstrate the “courage of the white flag” and engage in negotiations to resolve the conflict. While the Pope emphasized the importance of considering the well-being of the people and exploring diplomatic solutions with the assistance of international powers, his remarks triggered a strong reaction from Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba swiftly responded, affirming Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to its national identity symbolized by the yellow and blue flag. Rejecting the notion of surrender, Kuleba emphasized Ukraine’s resilience in the face of adversity and its determination to prevail in the battle between good and evil.
Similarly, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, conveyed a message of unwavering resolve among Ukrainians, affirming their determination to stand firm against aggression and never contemplate surrender.
Despite efforts to clarify the Pope’s remarks, with the Holy See Press Office emphasizing the intention behind the metaphor of the white flag as a symbol of cessation of hostilities rather than surrender, criticism continued to mount. European leaders, including Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs, condemned the Pope’s comments, advocating for continued resistance against evil and urging Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
Alexandra Valkenburg, head of the EU delegation to the Holy See, reiterated the EU’s stance on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to end the conflict.