Russia-Ukraine: Kremlin, Zelenskyy respond to Pope’s appeal for "courage of the white flag"

Both the Kremlin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have responded to comments made by the Pope suggesting Ukraine should have the courage to surrender and negotiate peace as its war with Russia enters its third year.

“I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag — of negotiating,” Pope Francis said in a snippet from a Swiss interview that is set to broadcast on March 20.

Addressing the pontiff’s statements, Kremlim spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that “harsh denial from the Kyiv regime” will “not allow the possibility of conducting any negotiations.” Furthermore, Peskov claimed that Ukraine will “continue to do everything to doom Russia to what they consider an inevitable strategic defeat.”

Though Zelenskyy did not directly address the Pope, he dismissed the Catholic Church head’s comments, saying the Ukrainian church is actually supporting their defence efforts with “prayer, talk and deeds,” and not “2,500 kilometres away” trying to “virtually” mediate “someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy [Ukraine].

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca
Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews #PopeFrancis #RussiaUkraineWar