2024-03-11 05:34:09
Published11. March 2024, 06:34
Ukraine war: “It is 2,500 kilometers away”: Zelensky sharply criticizes Pope
The Pope’s words regarding peace negotiations and the raising of the “white flag” are causing outrage not only in Kiev. Volodymyr Zelensky criticizes the church leader.
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In an interview regarding the difficulties faced by the Ukrainian army, the Pope also used the phrase “white flag”.
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The church is with the people, said Ukraine President Zelensky – “and not two and a half thousand kilometers away.”
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The pontiff had sparked massive opposition with a misleading appeal for peace negotiations in Russia’s war of aggression once morest Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply rejected a controversial appeal from Pope Francis for peace negotiations with Russia. The church is with the people, said Selenski in his evening video address on Sunday. “And not two and a half thousand kilometers away, somewhere, to virtually mediate between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.”
Zelensky continued: «When Russian evil started this war on February 24 (2022), all Ukrainians stood up to defend themselves. Christians, Muslims, Jews – everyone.” And he thanks every Ukrainian clergyman who is in the army, in the Defense Forces. They are on the front line, they protect life and humanity, they support with prayers, conversations and actions. “That’s what the church is – with people.”
Pope’s statement caused strong criticism
The pontiff had sparked massive opposition with a misleading appeal for peace negotiations in Russia’s war of aggression once morest Ukraine. The statements by the head of the Catholic Church were understood in Ukraine and by many of its supporters as a one-sided appeal to Kiev alone – and by some even as a call for surrender.
In an interview published on Swiss television at the weekend, the 87-year-old also used the phrase “white flag” in view of the difficulties faced by the Ukrainian army – in times of war for centuries the sign of surrender, i.e. surrender without a fight once morest enemy troops.
“Our flag is blue and yellow”
“Our flag is blue and yellow, that is the flag with which we live, die and persevere,” replied Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Germany and Poland, among others, also criticized the pontiff.
“When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate,” said Francis in the interview, which was conducted at the beginning of February but has only now become known. Without naming either of the parties to the conflict, Russia or Ukraine, he added: “Don’t be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse.” Nevertheless, this was often understood as a reference, especially to Ukraine.
Zelensky praises anti-aircraft defense
Zelensky praised the anti-aircraft soldiers “who defend our skies day and night.” On Sunday night alone they managed to shoot down 35 so-called Shahed-type kamikaze drones. “In total, the Russian terrorists have used 175 of these killer drones once morest Ukraine since the beginning of March; fortunately, 151 of them were shot down by our soldiers.” Nevertheless, there are victims among the civilian population.
At the same time, Zelensky announced the further expansion of firepower and Ukrainian air defense. “More air defense systems and other means of defending once morest Russian aircraft mean more peace,” he said.
Are you or someone you know concerned regarding the war in Ukraine?
You can find help for yourself and others here:
Questions and answers regarding the war in Ukraine (State Secretariat for Migration)
Outpatient clinic for torture and war victims SRK, Tel. 058 400 47 77
Fear of war?, tips from Pro Juventute
Advisory services (German, Ukrainian, Russian), from Pro Juventute
Free advice for children and youth in Ukrainian
Offered Hand, Worry Hotline, Tel. 143
Pro Juventute, advice for children and young people, Tel. 147
Registration and information for host families:
Swiss Refugee Aid, Tel. 058 105 05 55
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(DPA/job)
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