In an interview with a Swiss television channel, Pope Francis said that there is a “losing” side to the war in Ukraine and its representatives must find the courage to raise the white flag and begin peace negotiations.
The full interview with Lorenzo Buccella for the program “Cliche” was recorded in early February and will be broadcast on the Swiss television channel on March 20. However, the Vatican media published some details.
In the interview, the Pope shared his thoughts on wars, especially Russia’s war against Ukraine. He said that both sides in any war should always come to the negotiating table for peace talks.
“Negotiations are never capitulation,” he said. “It takes courage not to bring the country to suicide.” Speaking about peace talks, the Pope called on the parties to the war in Ukraine “not to be ashamed to negotiate before the situation gets worse.”
However, he noted that the losing side thinks first about debt negotiations. This is how he answered the question about his attitude to the possible defeat of Ukraine. Francis says he believes that the one who thinks about people and sees the situation, and who “has the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate,” is stronger.
“When you see that you are being defeated, that things are not going well, you need to have the courage to negotiate. You may be ashamed, but how many deaths will this end in? Negotiate on time. Look for some country that can act as an intermediary. Today, for example, in the war in Ukraine, there are many who want to act as mediators. Türkiye offered itself for this. And others. Don’t be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse,” the Pope said, without naming who he considered the losing country.
Earlier, Telegraf reported that the adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mikhail Podolyak, said that he considers Pope Francis pro-Russian. According to the Ukrainian politician, the Vatican lost its authority after several consecutive statements by the pontiff.
Earlier, the Pope, in fact, addressed Russian youth via video link within the framework of the X All-Russian Meeting of Catholic Youth, held in St. Petersburg. He called on young people in Russia not to forget or abandon their historical “great heritage” and expressed gratitude to them.
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