In an interview, Pope Francis urged that Ukraine should have the “white flag” fortitude to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, which began two years ago after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Francis spoke with Swiss broadcaster RSI in an interview that was captured last month, well before Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s most recent proposal on Friday to organize a conference between Russia and Ukraine in an attempt to settle the conflict.
Following a meeting in Istanbul with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Erdogan extended the new offer. Zelenskiy has declared that even though he desires peace, he will not cede any land.
According to the Ukrainian leader’s own peace proposal, Russian soldiers must leave all of Ukraine and its state borders must be restored. Entering into peace negotiations on terms specified by Kyiv has been rejected by the Kremlin.
Zelenskiy’s spokesperson did not immediately reply to a statement.
Francis was questioned during the interview about his thoughts on a dispute between proponents of giving up since Ukraine has failed to repel Russian forces and opponents who argue that doing so would justify the strongest party’s actions. “White flag” was the term used by the interviewer in the question.
An advance text of the interview and a portion of the video were made available to Reuters on Saturday. “It is one interpretation, that is true,” Francis stated. It is scheduled to air on March 20 as a component of a brand-new cultural program.
However, I believe that the person who assesses the circumstances, considers the others, and exhibits the bravery of the white flag while negotiating is the strongest.” Francis stated, emphasizing that foreign powers should be included in the talks.
[b]”To negotiate is to have bravery. You must have the guts to bargain when you see you are losing and that things are not going as planned, according to Francis.
It was thought to be the first time Francis has used phrases like “white flag” or “defeated” in reference to the conflict in Ukraine, even though he had previously discussed the necessity of talks.
The Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, released a statement stating that the pope had noticed the interviewer’s use of the term “white flag” and had used it “to indicate a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations”.
The 87-year-old pope traveled to Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv last year as a peace envoy to speak with the leaders of those nations. His name is Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi.
Regarding negotiations, Francis remarked, “One may feel ashamed, but how many dead will it (the conflict) end up with? Francis stated, listing Turkey as one of the nations that had offered, “(One should) negotiate in good time and find a country that can be a mediator.”
After making hundreds of appeals for what he refers to as “martyred Ukraine,” Francis added, “Do not be ashamed of negotiating, before things get worse.” “I am here” was Francis’ response when asked if he would be willing to mediate.
Francis stated during the interview that “negotiating is never a surrender” in reference to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Zelenskiy said last month that tens of thousands of citizens had perished in the occupied regions of Ukraine and that 31,000 Ukrainian military had died since the Russian invasion in February 2022.