“When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate,” the head of the Catholic church said.
NEWSWEEK
Remarks by Pope Francis appearing to suggest Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” in its war against Russia have sparked waves of criticism, prompting the Vatican to quickly clarify the comments from the leader of the Catholic church.
“I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates,” Francis said in an interview recorded in February with RSI, a Swiss broadcaster. Part of the interview was published on Saturday, and the interviewer used the term, “white flag,” in a question put to the Catholic leader.
Kyiv has repeatedly said it will not negotiate with Moscow, and will not accept Russia holding any territory recognized by the international community as Ukrainian. Late last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was “ready to host a peace summit that Russia will attend too,” following a meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian leader said he “does not see a place for Russia” at peace talks, according to media reports.
Francis’ comments come as aid from Kyiv’s largest backer, the U.S., remains in doubt, and Ukraine stares down Russian advances at several points along the front line.
“Pope Francis, how about this instead: ‘Putin should have the courage to withdraw his invading troops from Ukraine and abandon his genocidal imperial pursuits,’” wrote Julia Davis, a journalist who frequently covers Russia and the war in Ukraine.
