Ukraine 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.

The Pope's comment appeared in the transcript of a radio interview to be broadcast later this month.

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.

According to a transcript quoted by Reuters news agency, the Pope was asked to comment on a debate between those who want Ukraine to seek a settlement with Russia - or wave the "white flag", as the interviewer put it - and those who argue that doing so would legitimise aggression.

The Pope was quoted as saying: "The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," he added.

The statement triggered a barrage of criticism.

On Sunday Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media: "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 ambassador to the Vatican compared the Pope's comments to those who advocated talks with Adolf Hitler during Word War Two.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked whether the Pope would, for balance, encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine.

There has also been strong criticism from Ukrainians on social media, including the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church.

In response to the row, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had "picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate... a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".

He added the Pope had made it clear that "negotiations are never a surrender".

More than two years after Russia's full-scale attack, Ukraine is on the defensive. Last month Russian troops captured the strategic town of Avdiivka.

Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages.

In Washington a bill to provide $60bn (£47bn) to Ukraine has been blocked in the US Congress and European countries are struggling to agree on ways to support Kyiv.

Papal blunder!

Every so-called "man of God" conceal the shallowness of their thinking behind the fact that their words are never questioned.

Query a clergy and watch them fumble and tumble.

First he says "when you see that you're defeated and things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate."

Then he releases a statement saying he's not talking about surrender after being called out.

Integrity is dead. Even in the church. Pastors sound like politicians. And the Pope is not exempt.

Some war are won aside the battle field.
When fighting, remove pride and evaluate the end.

Sometimes, the best advice is usually the hardest in our mind.

Let white flag to fly

Eyah, they should be fighting ooo

Keep fighting naaa
Dem no dey beg una

Some countries have money to fight wars,
Some just de find money survive

Can someone in that country raise the flag on behalf of the government please

The war is a totally needless war between two brothers. I am not happy with the senseless loss of lives. People cut down in their prime because someone's ego needs to be massaged.
I think zelensky should swallow his pride and negotiate, not surrender.

alpharoyalty:
The war is a totally needless war between two brothers. I am not happy with the senseless loss of lives. People cut down in their prime because someone's ego needs to be massaged.
I think zelensky should swallow his pride and negotiate, not surrender.

I heard turkey is trying to bring them to negotiating table

The only people that win 100% in a war are the people producing the weapons.
Every other side loses something that can't be regained.

buharibanjo:
Some countries have money to fight wars,
Some just de find money survive

Spot on!!!

Make we go find something to do so we no go shout the popular "E bin pa wa ooo" anthem today.

💯

NPFLADMIN:
The only people that win 100% in a war are the people producing the weapons.
Every other side loses something that can't be regained.



Spot on!!!

Make we go find something to do so we no go shout the popular "E bin pa wa ooo" anthem today.

Godszilla:
Ukraine 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.

The Pope's comment appeared in the transcript of a radio interview to be broadcast later this month.

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.

According to a transcript quoted by Reuters news agency, the Pope was asked to comment on a debate between those who want Ukraine to seek a settlement with Russia - or wave the "white flag", as the interviewer put it - and those who argue that doing so would legitimise aggression.

The Pope was quoted as saying: "The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," he added.

The statement triggered a barrage of criticism.

On Sunday Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media: "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 ambassador to the Vatican compared the Pope's comments to those who advocated talks with Adolf Hitler during Word War Two.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked whether the Pope would, for balance, encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine.

There has also been strong criticism from Ukrainians on social media, including the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church.

In response to the row, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had "picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate... a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".

He added the Pope had made it clear that "negotiations are never a surrender".

More than two years after Russia's full-scale attack, Ukraine is on the defensive. Last month Russian troops captured the strategic town of Avdiivka.

Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages.

In Washington a bill to provide $60bn (£47bn) to Ukraine has been blocked in the US Congress and European countries are struggling to agree on ways to support Kyiv.

The put the pope in their kill list. It's there on the website