Pope’s ‘white flag’ Ukraine comment compared to Nazi appeasement

Pope Francis’ statement that Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” to negotiate an end to the war with Russia has sparked a storm of criticism from Ukrainian and allied officials, including a call for appeasement of World War II. Some brought up the specter of policies of Nazi Germany.

A Vatican spokesperson quickly retracted the statement on Saturday, saying that instead of Ukraine’s surrender, as many took it to mean, Francis called for a “cessation of hostilities (and) a ceasefire achieved through courageous negotiations.” He said he supports it.

But Ukrainian and Polish officials ridiculed the remarks, which the pope made in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI that was recorded last month and partially released on Saturday.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, “In the battle between good and evil, those who stand on the side of good are the strongest, rather than trying to put good and evil on the same playing field and call it “negotiation.” As stated in X’s Sunday post.

“At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know the strategy of this Vatican from the first half of the 20th century,” Kleba said, apparently referring to the church’s failure to take action against Hitler’s Germany. . Second World War.

“I strongly urge [the Church] “To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people as they fight for their lives,” he continued.

“Our flag is blue and yellow. We live, die, and triumph in it. We will not fly any other flag.”

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski also participated. Comment on X’s post “In order to maintain balance,” the Pope said, Putin should be encouraged “to have the courage to withdraw troops from Ukraine.”

“Peace will be achieved quickly and without the need for negotiations,” Sikorsky said.

“Let’s be clear about this: When commentators and politicians scream ‘peace’ and at the same time advocate denying victims of invasion the means to defend themselves, they are actually saying that victims should surrender. That means,” Sikorski said in another post. “Such Chamberlainism usually masks more sordid motives.”

In an interview at The Powder Keg, the pope was asked about the debate between those who say Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who say the negotiations justify Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. Ta.

“I think the strongest people are those who look at the situation, think about the people, and negotiate with the courage of a white flag,” Francis said, responding to the interviewer’s use of the meaningful word “white flag.” I answered in agreement.

Ukraine has steadfastly refused to negotiate peace with Russia since its neighbor invaded without provocation more than two years ago.

Although the Pope appears to maintain diplomatic neutrality in the Vatican, he also seems to sympathize with Russian propagandists who claim that NATO is “barking at Russia’s door” as it gradually expands eastward. He showed a friendly attitude.

“Negotiations are never surrender,” Francis insisted in an interview. “When you find yourself defeated or things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.”

But the pope also expressed support for the conflict-ridden country, which has come to call itself “martyred Ukraine.” According to the New York Times.

Meanwhile, the leader of Ukraine’s Green Catholic Church said the country’s fierce resistance to an attack that many thought would wipe out the country within weeks was the only thing that prevented a mass massacre of civilians.

“Ukraine is exhausted, but it will stand up and endure,” Archbishop Svyatoslav Shevchuk said at a Sunday meeting with compatriots in New York City.

“Believe me, surrendering never crosses anyone’s mind.”

Shevchuk also said that the gruesome Russian massacre, in which Russians killed hundreds of Ukrainian civilians in the town of Bucha near Kiev, littering the streets with the bodies of hundreds of them, would have been a “no-brainer” if Ukrainian soldiers had not been defending Ukraine. It was probably only the beginning. House and hearth.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Kuleba, also invited the pope to Ukraine, which he said was aimed at “more than one million Ukrainian (Roman) Catholics, more than five million Greek Catholics, all Christians and all Ukrainians.” He said it was a show of support.

During Sunday’s Angelus Prayer, Francis said he was praying “for peace in the troubled Ukraine and in the Holy Land.”

“Let us stop as soon as possible the hostilities that cause untold suffering to civilians,” he said.

with post wire