Ukraine has summoned the Vatican’s envoy after the Pope said the country should “have the courage to raise the white flag” against Russia.
Ukraine’s apostolic Nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas was told Kyiv was “disappointed” by the remarks, the foreign ministry said.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky has said Ukraine’s position on the battlefield was “stabilizing” following recent setbacks – such as increasingly limited aid from Western allies.
Pope Francis has caused anger in Ukraine when a transcript of an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, which is due to be broadcast next week, was released.
According to a transcript quoted by Reuters news agency, the Pope said: “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.”
A Vatican spokesman later said the Pope was speaking of stopping the fighting through negotiation, not capitulation.
Nevertheless, Ukraine has sought to make its displeasure known, says the BBC.
In a statement about the summoning of Archbishop Kulbokas, the foreign ministry “noted that instead of appeals that legalize the right of the strong and encourage them [Russia] to further disregard the norms of international law, the head of the Holy See would be expected to send signals to the world community about the need to immediately join forces to ensure the victory of good over evil, as well as appeals to the attacker, not to the victim.”
Ukraine has been keen to dispel any suggestion that it would capitulate to Russia more than two years after the invasion.
Zelensky this week once again stated that Ukraine has to win.
