Pope hints Ukraine should ‘raise white flag’ and end war; outraged Kyiv says will never surrender to Russia

KYIV: Ukrainian and allied officers criticised Pope Francis for saying Kyiv ought to have the “braveness” to barter an finish to the struggle with Russia, a press release many interpreted as a name on Ukraine to give up.
Ukraine’s overseas minister vowed “by no means” to give up to Russia. Dmytro Kuleba stated on social media, “Our flag is a yellow and blue one. That is the flag by which we dwell, die, and prevail. We will by no means elevate another flags.” He known as on the aged pontiff to face “on the aspect of fine” and never put the opposing sides “on the identical footing and name it ‘negotiations’.”
The overseas minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican each used World Warfare II analogies to sentence the pope’s remarks, whereas a frontrunner of one in all Ukraine’s Christian church buildings on Sunday stated that solely the nation’s decided resistance to Russia’s aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.
In an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, Francis used the phrase “the braveness of the white flag” as he argued that Ukraine, going through a potential defeat, ought to be open to peace talks brokered by worldwide powers. “I feel the strongest one is the one who appears on the scenario, thinks in regards to the folks and has the braveness of the white flag, and negotiates,” he stated.
A Vatican spokesman later clarified the pope supported “a cease to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the braveness of negotiations,” relatively than an outright Ukrainian give up. Matteo Bruni stated the journalist interviewing the pope used the time period “white flag” within the query that prompted the controversial remarks.