Pope Francis recently sparked controversy with his comments on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, suggesting that Ukraine should not be ashamed to negotiate peace with Russia. His remarks came during an interview with RSI, where he invoked the image of a white flag to symbolize the cessation of hostilities and the courage required for negotiation. These comments were made amidst discussions about Turkey, with Erdogan offering to potentially host new Ukraine-Russia peace talks, a suggestion mentioned by the Pope. The Vatican later clarified the Pope's use of the white flag metaphor, emphasizing it as a call for a truce through negotiation. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials, including foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, strongly rejected the Pope's suggestion, with Zelenskiy dismissing it as 'virtual mediation' and Kuleba emphasizing that Kyiv would never capitulate. The Pope's comments have led to widespread public outrage in Ukraine, with many unable to understand the Vatican's position.
Pope Francis said in an interview that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to carry out peace talks. https://t.co/0j8pvJNwRa https://t.co/PCJTaQOIaD
Leaders in Ukraine vehemently rejected Pope Francis’s suggestion of negotiations with Russia to bring an end to the war. Francis had used the term "white flag" in a recent interview that drew particular scorn. https://t.co/iIBp47QYDT
Pope Francis has fueled anger after he encouraged Ukraine to negotiate an end to the war against Russia during a televised interview. https://t.co/8Wf2jxpwEC
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Pope Francis' call to negotiate an end to the war with Russia as ‘virtual mediation’ from a distance, while Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv would never capitulate https://t.co/9tLDFJR4qW https://t.co/f4Xqwmrcog
Zelensky told the Pope to go to hell - he won’t sue for peace. https://t.co/ludcrCL7NU
JUST IN: Reuters reports that Ukraine has 'rebuffed Pope Francis's call to negotiate an end to the war with Russia'
Zelenskyy dismisses Pope's call for Ukraine to negotiate peace with Russia Full story ⬇️ https://t.co/340R5mSazT
One of the most senior ministers in the Ukrainian government has responded to a suggestion from Pope Francis the war-torn country should consider negotiating with Russia. https://t.co/fTu12i1QoT
🔴 ZELENSKIY REJECTS POPE FRANCIS' SUGGESTION OF TALKS WITH RUSSIA, CALLING IT "VIRTUAL MEDIATION BETWEEN THOSE WHO WANT TO LIVE AND THOSE WHO WANT TO DESTROY YOU"
Pope Francis has said that Kiev should not be ashamed of restarting peace talks with Russia https://t.co/gulNqMsKhQ https://t.co/uF9ONDVEaf
"Don't Be Ashamed...": Pope Francis Sparks Controversy With His Pro-Russia Advice To Zelenskyy https://t.co/KH6fSYISXe
It's Sunday in Ukraine and all the talk here is about Pope Francis. It's not that Ukrainians have now so much interest for theology - it's that Pope's call for Ukraine to negotiate peace with Russia has produced a public outrage. People don't understand Vatican's position at all.
The Vatican explained the words of Pope Francis, which he said in an interview with RSI. "The Pope takes up the image of the white flag proposed by the interviewer, to indicate the cessation of the hostility, the truce reached with the courage of negotiation."… https://t.co/smlN2VMDE8
🇺🇦 The 87-year-old pontiff was asked on Swiss TV about whether Ukraine should surrender to Russia’s invasion Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/ztQeymgmjK https://t.co/jVMbsve4O4
Pope Francis, did Jesus negotiate with Herod? #StandWithUkraine
Zelensky visited Turkey yesterday. Erdogan offered to host new Ukraine-Russia peace talks. Today Pope Francis suggested Ukraine should negotiate, mentioning Turkey as potential country for the negotiations. Turkey and Vatican already worked together on the issue of Mariupol.
🚨POPE TO UKRAINE/RUSSIA: MAKE PEACE "I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates. The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that… https://t.co/1te579GSV9