On video: Ukrainian President Zelensky welcomes Western leaders in Kiev/Telegram
Pope Francis said Ukraine needs to show courage and negotiate an end to the war with Russia, which is in its third year with no end in sight.
The leader of the Catholic Church, who has been accused more than once by Kiev of taking too pro-Russian a position in relation to the conflict, said the words in an interview recorded last month with the Swiss broadcasting network RSI.
During the interview, he was asked what his position was on the debate between those who say Ukraine should agree to concessions because it has failed to repel Russian forces that have been gaining momentum in recent months, and those who say this would legitimize aggression by powerful countries.
The interviewer used the term "white flag" in the question.
"That's one interpretation, which is correct," Francis said, according to an early transcript of the interview and a video clip provided to Reuters.
The interview is scheduled 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 of the white flag, and negotiates," Francis said, adding that the talks should take place under the auspices of the international powers.
"The word negotiation is a brave word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate."
Pope Francis at the Vatican, March 9, 2024/Reuters
This is probably the first time the pope among the 87 has used terms like "white flag" or "defeat" in discussing the war in Ukraine, although he has previously spoken of the need for negotiations.
Last year, he sent a representative on his behalf to peace talks in Kiev, Moscow and Washington, but these ended without any real results.
"You can feel shame," Francis said of the negotiations, "but with how many casualties will it (the war) end? (We need to) negotiate in time, find a country that can be a mediator," Francis said, mentioning Turkey among the countries that proposed.
"Don't be ashamed to negotiate, before the situation gets worse," said Francis, who has hundreds of times described the "holy martyred Ukraine."
When asked if he was ready to mediate, the Pope said: "I am here."
In another part of the interview, referring to the war between Israel and Hamas, Francis said that "negotiation is never surrender."
On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia after a meeting in Istanbul with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky said that although he wants peace, he will not give up any territory on the territory of Ukraine.
The peace plan formulated by Zelensky calls for the withdrawal of Russian forces from all of Ukraine and the return of the borders recognized by the international community.
The Kremlin ruled out entering into peace talks under the conditions set by Kiev, which is under increasing pressure given its difficulty in repelling Russian forces due to the lack of ammunition.
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