Ukraine on Sunday slammed Pope Francis‘ name to barter with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing “never” to give up after the pontiff stated Kyiv ought to “have the courage to raise the white flag”.
The Catholic chief had fuelled anger in Kyiv after saying in an interview revealed Saturday that Ukraine ought to negotiate with Russia, which has seized massive swathes of its territory in the course of the conflict.
“Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated on social media.
While battling its larger neighbour, Ukraine has vowed not to surrender its territory.
The Pope fuelled anger by saying: “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not working out, to have the courage to negotiate.”
Kuleba referred to as on the aged pontiff to face “on the side of good” and never put the opposing sides “on the same footing and call it ‘negotiations’.”
He additionally appeared to reference a number of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi forces throughout World War II:
“At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century,” Kuleba stated.
“I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives.”
He additionally thanked Pope Francis for his “constant prayers for peace” and stated Kyiv hoped the cleric would go to Ukraine.
“We continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics and all Ukrainians,” Kuleba stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr