The call by Pope Francis for Ukraine to have “the courage of the white flag” and start negotiations with Russia angered President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described the pontiff’s proposal as “virtual mediation,” claiming his ideas had nothing to do with the efforts of clergy in Ukraine.
They support us with prayer, with their discussion and with deeds. This is indeed what a church with the people is. Not 2,500 km away, somewhere, virtual mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.
The head of the Catholic Church told Swiss broadcaster RSI that Kyiv should not be ashamed to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin “before things get worse” as “the word negotiate is a courageous word.”
“I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate. Negotiations are never a surrender.”
Zelensky’s indignation followed comments from a leading Ukrainian clergyman and a senior Polish politician who also condemned the remarks made by Pope Francis. Radosław Sikorski, foreign minister of Poland, stated:
How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine?
Pressed to respond to accusations of urging what Zelensky saw as capitulation, the Vatican spokesman clarified that the Pope supported “a halt to hostilities [and] a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations,” not a complete surrender of Ukraine.
Peace talks would be a huge change for Zelensky, who firmly rejected any dialogue with Moscow and remained adamant that peace talks would not take place. However, delayed Western aid and running out of Ukrainian ammunition are affecting Kyiv’s progress on the battlefield.
Moreover, some of its Western allies are beginning to discuss sending troops into the military conflict area.
