TOPLINE
Pope Francis has called for Ukraine to have the “courage of the white flag” while negotiating peace with Russia, according to an interview partially released Saturday, the latest controversial remarks from the pope about Ukraine’s war with Russia.
KEY FACTS
Francis told the Swiss broadcaster RSI: “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.”
Francis claimed either side should “not be ashamed of negotiating before things get worse,” adding he, in addition to several European countries, would be willing to be a mediator for peace talks.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni clarified Francis using the phrase “white flag,” indicating Francis was using a term used by the interviewer to “indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation.”
Bruni also said Francis reaffirmed his “deep affection” for Ukraine while calling for “conditions for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace.”
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
The rest of Francis’ interview with RSI will be broadcast on March 20.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“I think 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,” Francis said, adding, “The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.”
TANGENT
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who spoke in Istanbul during a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, said Turkish officials were willing to hold a “peace summit in which Russia will also be included.” Earlier this year, Swiss President Viola Amherd suggested Switzerland was “ready to organize a conference” that would “ensure that the peace process is a success.”
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW
Whether Ukraine will engage in peace talks with Russia. Zelensky said Friday any deal for peace would need to align with his 10-point plan, which calls for food security, withdrawal of Russian troops and the release of all prisoners, among other terms. Ukrainian officials have also said the country would be unwilling to directly engage with Russia during negotiations, according to the Associated Press.
KEY BACKGROUND
Francis has made other controversial comments during Ukraine’s war with Russia over the last two years. In 2022, Francis suggested NATO “barking” at Russia’s border may have caused President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine, though he also condemned the “brutality” of the war. While he wouldn’t say NATO’s presence near Russia “provoked” the Kremlin, it “perhaps facilitated” the invasion. A month later, Francis again criticized the “brutality and ferocity” of Russian troops invading Ukraine, while also questioning whether the war was “provoked or not prevented” by Ukraine. Francis clarified that he was not “pro-Putin” and that he was “simply against reducing complexity to the distinction between good guys and bad guys without reasoning about roots and interests,” which he added were “very complex.” Last year, Francis also drew criticism after he suggested Russian youth should not “forget your heritage” because they were “heirs of the great Russia.” Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of Ukraine’s Greek Catholic Church, said the statements caused “great pain and apprehension.” The Kremlin celebrated Francis’ comments, suggesting, “The Pope knows Russian history, and that is very good.”
FURTHER READING
Pope Says Ukraine Should Have ‘Courage Of The White Flag’ Of Negotiations (Reuters)
