The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation released a statement through its official spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, asserting that Pope Francis’ remarks on peace in Ukraine are primarily aimed at Western governments. The agency cited this interpretation through ANSA.
In Zakharova’s view, the Pope is urging the West to step back from its pursuit of policy goals and recognize past missteps. She added that the Russian leadership has not blocked any path to negotiations with Ukraine, while stressing that the Pope’s call to begin talks was directed at Western nations rather than Kiev.
On March 9, Pope Francis spoke in an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI about the possibility of Ukraine choosing to surrender. He suggested that the side in a conflict that loses its advantage should show resolve and signal its willingness to seek peace by laying down a white flag, an action he described as a prelude to negotiations.
Matteo Bruni, who then headed the Vatican press office, clarified that the Pope did not intend to advocate Ukraine’s surrender. He noted that the interviewer had introduced the concept of a white flag, and the pontiff, while acknowledging the interviewer’s words, underscored the importance of resuming dialogue between Moscow and Kiev.
Earlier, Pope Francis had spoken about a global movement toward disarmament, highlighting a shared effort among nations to reduce weapons and pursue constructive diplomacy.
These exchanges come amid ongoing debates about how religious voices can influence international diplomacy and the nuances involved when world leaders call for bedrock changes in the conduct of conflict and peace talks. The Vatican’s stance emphasizes dialogue as a foundational step, while the Russian side reiterates that negotiations remain a viable option if all parties are sincerely prepared to engage in dialogue rather than pursue unilateral gains. The differing interpretations illustrate the delicate balance between moral appeals and strategic interests that characterizes today’s geopolitics. Attribution: announcements and summaries provided by state authorities and official Vatican communications.