Image of Pope Francis.

Kara Hall

Pope Francis sparks fury in Ukraine following his calls for negotiations and “white-flag” references in an interview published on Saturday. 

In an interview with Swiss broadcaster Radiotelevisione Svizzera di lingua Italiana (RSI), the Pope suggested Ukraine should have “the courage to raise the white flag” and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

His remarks on Saturday have been a source of controversy amongst Ukrainian officials and across social media.

HOW HAS THE WORLD RESPONDED?

In a social media post on Sunday, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said: “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.”

“…attempting to diffuse what has been described as a diplomatic kerfuffle.”

Speaking on peace talks and negotiations, the Pope continued: “It is the courage not to carry a country to suicide.

“When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate,” he later added.

Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, made the rounds in media interviews later in the day, attempting to diffuse what has been described as a “diplomatic kerfuffle.”

Another Vatican spokesperson later added that the Pope was “speaking of stopping the fighting through negotiation, not capitulation.”

DOES THE POPE USUALLY INTERFERE WITH INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS?

The ‘kerfuffle’ the Pope now finds himself in may have been the result of loaded questions posed at the international figure by the RSI.

He was asked: “in Ukraine, some call for the courage of surrender, of the white flag. But others say that this would legitimise the stronger party. What do you think?”

However, this is not the first time the Pope has placed himself in the midst of international affairs.

“…he enjoys a level of formal diplomatic relations.”

Behaving as a unique actor in international relations, he enjoys a level of formal diplomatic relations with over 180 countries. Pope Francis engages with international diplomacy through embodying the role of a “juridical actor” known as the Holy See.

The Holy See is in fact recognised under international law, rather than the Vatican City State.

Following President Obama’s announcement that the US would fully restore relations with Cuba, the Pope was credited for playing a vital role in facilitating the rapprochement.

WHAT WOULD NEGOTIATIONS LOOK LIKE IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR?

For some, a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine must start with offering to lift all sanctions against Russia, with the aim that Russia’s military would withdraw.

In turn, the West should offer Ukraine a “massive reconstruction package” which would help the country move towards economic and political stability.

However, others have suggested that the only politically correct tactic the West can use now is that of talking tough on Russia and supplying more weapons to Ukraine.

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Featured image courtesy of Catholic Church England and Wales via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

Originally from Birmingham, Kara is a Politics and International Studies student at the University of Warwick where she is the EIC of Warwick Labour's Magazine, as well as a Current Affairs Editor for Empoword.

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