ROME: Pope Francis said in the interview that Ukraine should have what he called the courage of a “white flag” to negotiate an end to the war with Russia that followed Moscow’s massive invasion two years ago that killed tens of thousands of people.
Francis said this in an interview recorded last month with Swiss television RSI, well before Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s latest offer on Friday to hold a summit between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.
Erdogan made the new offer after a meeting in Istanbul with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky said that while he wants peace, he will not give up any territory.
The Ukrainian leader’s peace plan calls for withdrawing Russian troops from all of Ukraine and restoring its state borders. The Kremlin has ruled out engaging in peace talks under the terms set by Kyiv.
Zelensky’s spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the pope’s remarks.
In the interview, Francis was asked his position on the debate between those who say Ukraine should surrender because it was unable to repel Russian forces and those who say it would legitimize the actions of the strongest party. The interviewer used the term “white flag” in the question.
“It’s one interpretation, that’s true,” Francis said, according to a preliminary transcript of the interview and a partial video she provided to Reuters on Saturday. It is to be broadcast on March 20 as part of a new cultural program.
“But I think the strongest is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage with the white flag and negotiates,” Francis said, adding that the talks should take place with the help of international powers.
