NewsUkrainian Ambassador questions Pope's "white flag" peace talk stance

Ukrainian Ambassador questions Pope's "white flag" peace talk stance

The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican commented on the Pope's words about the "courage of the white flag".

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8:31 AM EDT, March 10, 2024

Pope Francis's statements, made during an interview for Swiss radio and television, ignited a flurry of reactions. He emphasized the strength in recognizing the need to negotiate, stating, "The stronger one is the one who sees the situation, who thinks of the nation, who has the courage of the white flag to negotiate. Today, international powers can facilitate negotiations. The word 'negotiate' is courageous," as reported by PAP.

The Pope's reference to the "white flag," typically signifying surrender, stirred significant controversy. "When you realize defeat and that things are going unfavorably, negotiating takes courage. It may be embarrassing, but think of the lives it could save," Francis remarked, underlining that "negotiations are never equal to surrender." The head of the Vatican's press office, Matteo Bruni, clarified that the Pope intends to foster a diplomatic solution for a fair and enduring peace.

Andrij Jurasz, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Vatican, challenged the Pope's comments. He wrote on the social media platform X, "Consistency is crucial. In addressing the current global conflict, it's vital to draw lessons from the Second World War."

Jurasz provocatively inquired, "Did anyone seriously consider peace talks with Hitler and raising the white flag as a gesture of placation?" He contends that victory in the war is the only viable path forward. "The lesson here is clear: to end the war, we must do everything in our power to defeat the aggressor," Jurasz concluded.

*Source: PAP*