Ukraine Rejects Pope’s Call for Negotiation with Russia, Asserts Resolve Amid Conflict

Ukraine firmly rejected Pope Francis’s suggestion to negotiate an end to the conflict with Russia, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticizing the pontiff’s stance as “virtual mediation.” The Pope’s call for negotiation, using phrases like “courage of the white flag,” was met with skepticism by Ukrainian officials who emphasized their unwavering resolve.

Zelenskiy, without directly addressing the Pope’s remarks, highlighted the support of religious figures within Ukraine and dismissed the notion of distant mediation. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Ukraine’s allegiance to its national flag and history while urging the Vatican to support their just cause.

The comments also reignited historical controversies surrounding the actions of Pope Pius XII during World War II, with Kuleba referencing allegations of inaction against the Nazis. Similarly, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Ukraine’s Eastern Rite Catholic Church emphasized Ukraine’s resilience and refusal to surrender.

Zelenskiy has consistently called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty, though the Kremlin has rejected negotiations based on Kyiv’s terms. The Pope’s remarks have drawn criticism from European officials supporting Ukraine’s efforts against Russian aggression.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics both urged a more balanced approach, with Sikorski calling for encouragement towards Putin to withdraw Russian forces from Ukraine, while Rinkevics emphasized the need to resist evil rather than negotiate with it.