BERLIN
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has criticized Pope Francis's comments on the Ukraine war, and his call on Kyiv to sit down at the negotiating table with the Kremlin.
“I really don’t understand this,” Baerbock told public broadcaster ARD, when asked about Pope Francis's recent interview, in which he was quoted as saying: “Ukraine should have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate.”
Baerbock recalled her visits to the Ukrainian cities and her conversations with the war victims, and said one should first visit the frontlines to understand the realities of the Ukraine war.
“You understand what’s happening there when you see a bombed kindergarten, when you talk to women, when you talk to children whose friends were kidnapped in eastern Ukraine,” Baerbock said, adding that most of these abducted children have not returned despite efforts by international organizations.
“Then I ask myself, where is the Pope? The Pope must know about these things,” the minister said, and argued that Western countries should demonstrate determination, and stronger solidarity with Ukraine to force Russia to withdraw troops, and end this war.
"If we don't show strength now, then there will be no peace," Baerbock said.
Pope Francis's controversial comments were later clarified by the Vatican’s spokesman, who said that his remarks intended to call for a cease-fire and negotiations, and not a call for surrender.
“The Pope picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. His hope is for a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace,” Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, told reporters at the weekend.
During an interview with a Swiss TV station, Pope Francis was asked “In Ukraine, some call for the courage of surrender, of the white flag. But others say that this would legitimize the stronger party. What do you think?”
The pope replied by saying: “That is one interpretation. But I believe that the stronger one is the one who sees the situation, who thinks of the people, who has the courage of the white flag, to negotiate. And today, negotiations are possible with the help of international powers.”
The pope added: “When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate. You may feel ashamed, but with how many deaths will it end? Negotiate in time; look for some country that can mediate. Today, for example in the war in Ukraine, there are many who want to mediate. Türkiye has offered itself for this. And others. Do not be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse.”
