Pope Francis urged Ukraine to show fortitude by holding peace negotiations with Russia despite the war in a recent interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI. The Pope said Ukraine should negotiate for peace despite hurdles and losses.
Pope Francis said, “I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage to negotiate, even displaying the metaphorical ‘white flag’.” International help is crucial to these conversations, he said.
Ukraine has refused direct negotiations with Russia, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the invading nation should initiate peace talks. Russia has gained combat momentum in the third year of the conflict, while Ukraine suffers ammunition shortages. Western allies may send soldiers to Ukraine.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said that the interviewer used the word “white flag” to avoid implying that the Pope was taking sides in the crisis.
Pope Francis, who maintains the Vatican’s diplomatic neutrality, said conversations require fortitude, “When you’re defeated, you have to negotiate. Negotiations are never capitulation.”
The Pope noted that Turkey and other nations have offered to mediate peace negotiations. On Friday, President Zelenskyy visited Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan volunteered to organize a Ukraine-Russia peace meeting. The Pope’s statements highlight the complicated diplomatic terrain of the crisis and worldwide peace attempts.
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