Ukrainian Foreign Minister Criticizes Pope’s Call for Negotiation with Russia: Latest Updates and Reactions

2024-03-11 20:46:15
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has summoned this Monday the apostolic nuncio in the country, Visvaldas Kulbokas, to express its rejection of the Pope’s statements, who urged the Government of Volodimir Zelensky to raise the “white flag” and sit down to negotiate with Russia. to end the war.

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“Visvaldas Kulbokas was informed that Ukraine is disappointed by the Pontiff’s words regarding the ‘white flag’ and the need to ‘show courage and negotiate’ with the aggressor,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Thus, instead of making calls to “legalize the right of the strong or encourage continued ignorance of International Law,” the Pope would be expected to send “signals to the world community regarding the need to join forces to ensure the victory of good.” regarding evil, as well as appealing to the attacker, not the victim.”

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In an interview recorded last month with the Swiss radio station RSI and broadcast this weekend by Italian media, Francis assured that the word negotiate is “brave.” “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you must have the courage to negotiate. You’re ashamed, but how many dead will it end up with? “He asked himself.

The director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, stated in a subsequent statement that the term “white flag” had been used by the interviewer, and that Francis had simply repeated it “to indicate a cessation of hostilities and a truce reached.” with the courage of negotiations.”

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dimitro Kuleba, criticized his words on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, the day before, and responded that the Ukrainian flag “is yellow and blue.” “We will never raise any other flag,” he said.

“The strongest is he who, in the battle between good and evil, takes the side of good instead of trying to put them on equal footing and calling it ‘negotiations.’ At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know the Vatican strategy of the first half of the 20th century. I urge you to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine,” he stressed.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (REUTERS/Yves Herman)

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg made clear on Monday that he disagreed with the pope’s comments, saying: “If we want a lasting peaceful negotiated solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine.”

In an interview with Reuters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Stoltenberg stated that “what happens around the negotiating table is inextricably linked to strength on the battlefield.”

Asked if his reaction meant that now was not the time to talk regarding raising a white flag, Stoltenberg said: “This is not the time to talk regarding surrender on the part of the Ukrainians. That would be a tragedy for Ukrainians. It will also be dangerous for all of us.”

(With information from Europa Press and Reuters)

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