pope francis said in an interview ukraineWe should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia in the face of possible defeat, and we should not be ashamed to sit at the same table to negotiate peace.
The Pope made this appeal in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI recorded last month. This interview was published in part on Saturday.
“I think the strongest people are those who look at the situation, think about the people, and negotiate with the courage of a white flag,” Francis said, adding that negotiations should be carried out with the help of international powers.
Ukraine has maintained its stance of not directly engaging Russia in peace negotiations, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that the initiative in peace negotiations should rest with the invaded country.
As the war enters its third year, Russia is gaining momentum on the battlefield and Ukraine is running low on ammunition. Meanwhile, some of Ukraine's Western allies have subtly raised the possibility of sending troops.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Saturday that Francis picked up on the phrase “white flag” used by his interviewer. Pope Francis issued a statement of explanation after his “white flag” remarks sparked criticism that he was siding with Russia in the conflict.
During the war, Francis has sought to uphold the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality, often by pointing out that NATO was “barking at Russia's door” with its eastward expansion. It was accompanied by clear sympathy for Russia's rationale for invading Ukraine. .
“Negotiation is a courageous word,” Francis said in an interview with RSI.
“When you are defeated or when you see that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate,” he said. “Negotiation is never surrender.”
The Pope also reminded people that some countries have offered to act as mediators in disputes.
“For example, in today's war in Ukraine, there are many people who want to mediate,” he said. “Turkey has offered itself for this, and so have others. Don't be shy to negotiate before the situation worsens.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, a NATO member seeking a balance between close ties with both Ukraine and Russia, will host a peace summit between the two countries during President Zelensky's visit on Friday. I offered to do it.