Ukraine criticises Pope's 'white flag' comment - BBC News

The Pope angers Kyiv by urging it to "have the courage to raise the white flag" in talks with Russia.

17 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, ReutersImage caption, The Pope's interview to Swiss broadcaster is to be broadcast later in MarchUkraine has strongly rejected a call by Pope Francis for Kyiv to negotiate an end to its war with Russia and have "the courage to raise the white flag".

Ukraine's foreign minister says it will "never raise any other flags" than the country's blue and yellow colours.

And the country's President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the comments as "virtual mediation".

A Vatican spokesman later said the Pope was speaking of stopping the fighting through negotiation, not capitulation.

The interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, recorded in February, is scheduled to air on 20 March as part of a cultural programme.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68528217

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