Ukrainian Foreign Minister calls on Pope to avoid repeating mistakes and support Ukraine

"Our flag is yellow and blue. This is the flag under which we live, die, and win. We will never raise any other flags," Kuleba said.

The minister emphasized that the Vatican's strategy regarding the white flag dates back to the first half of the twentieth century.

"I urge you not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in a righteous struggle for their lives. The strongest is the one who stands on the side of good in the battle between good and evil, and does not try to put them in the same row and call it "negotiations," Kuleba emphasized.

The Foreign Minister thanked Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace.

"We continue to hope that after two years of the devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine to support more than a million Ukrainian Catholics, more than five million Greek Catholics, all Christians, and all Ukrainians," he emphasized.

Background

Pope Francis made an unexpected statement about the war in Ukraine. According to a recording of the interview, which is to be released only on March 20, the pontiff said that the strongest are those who "look at the situation, think about people, have the courage to raise the 'white flag' and 'negotiate'."

It is worth explaining that Francis has previously called for a diplomatic settlement of the war between Ukraine and Russia, but this is the first time he has actually called on Kyiv to surrender.

Francis's statement was condemned by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, who said that one cannot capitulate to evil.

Meanwhile, the Vatican has already defended the pontiff's words and noted that the Pope did not mean Kyiv's surrender, but only a negotiated dialogue.