The Pope says in an interview that Ukraine does not need to be ashamed if the country starts negotiations. – The strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate, says the Pope in the interview with the Swiss national broadcaster RSI. The entire interview with the Pope will not be published until March 20. The statement was reproduced by the news agency AFP. – Not in line with the church’s teachings – The statements from the pope are extremely unfortunate and extremely surprising, says professor of political science at the University of Oslo, Janne Haaland Matlary, to news. CRITICIZES: Professor of political science at the University of Oslo, Janne Haaland Matlary, says that the move by Pope Francis on Ukraine is very surprising. Photo: news She is a Catholic and has for many years been a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and a member of the Justitia et pax council. In addition, she has represented the Holy See (Vatican) in many UN conferences. Haaland Matlary emphasizes that what the Pope says is not in line with the church’s teaching about a “just war”, as described in the Catechism. This means that there can be no peace without justice. And that a state that is subjected to aggression has the right to defend itself and be helped by others. This principle is also enshrined in the UN Charter, in addition to the fact that the UN has a just war policy. FIGHTING AGAINST THE OCCUPIERS: Ukrainian military forces in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Photo: AFP The professor points out that the church is always skeptical of war, and it will always want peace mediation to be tried out. In Ukraine, it is clearly Russia that is guilty of aggression. – The Pope should encourage Russia to withdraw to internationally recognized borders. Only then can you negotiate, says Haaland Matlary. No understanding in Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flatly rejects the Pope’s call to start peace negotiations. – The church should be among people. Not 2,500 kilometers away, somewhere, to mediate virtually between someone who wants to live, and someone who wants to kill you, Zelenskyj said on Sunday. REJECTS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not want peace talks. Photo: AFP He went on to say that “when Russian evil started this war”, “all Ukrainians stood up to defend themselves. Christians, Muslims, Jews – everyone”. Zelenskyj thanked all Ukrainian clergy who cooperate with the defense. These contribute at the front with prayers and good deeds, and as conversational partners, Zelenskyj said. – This is what the church is – with the people, he said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has also commented on the call. – Our flag is yellow and blue. It is under this flag that we live, die and conquer. We will never raise any other flag, says Kuleba. European countries angered NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that he disagrees with what Pope Francis says. – If we want a negotiated, peaceful and lasting solution, then we must provide military support to Ukraine, says Stoltenberg. EXPANDING: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today welcomed Sweden as a new member of the defense alliance. Photo: Reuters He also believes that what happens around the negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield. Some of Ukraine’s supporters have interpreted the move as one-sided, addressed only to the Ukrainians and as a call to capitulate. – What about urging Putin to have the courage to withdraw the army from Ukraine without compensation? Then peace would come immediately without the need for negotiations, wrote Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on X. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sharply criticizes Pope Francis because he encourages Ukraine to start peace talks with Russia. WEAKENED: Pope Francis has had problems with his health in recent years. Photo: Reuters – I don’t understand. Certain things can only be understood if you see it with your own eyes, says Baerbock, who has visited Kyiv several times since the Russian invasion two years ago. In an interview with the German broadcaster ARD, Baerbock tells, among other things, about his meetings with Ukrainian children. – I have asked myself where the Pope is. The Pope must know this, she says. Germany is Ukraine’s second largest supplier of weapons and ammunition, and Baerbock emphasizes the importance of assisting the country. – If the Ukrainians and their allies do not show strength now, then there will never be peace, she says. Russian leaders positive Russian authorities, on the other hand, are positive about the move from Pope Francis. – It is quite understandable that he is positive about negotiations, says President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the Reuters news agency. UNDERSTAND: Russian President Putin is well pleased with the statements of Pope Francis. Here together with military leaders. Photo: AP He points out that Russia has several times agreed to negotiations, but that Ukraine has not agreed to it. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also commented on the matter. It says that the Pope is asking Western countries to abandon their ambition to beat Russia and admit their mistakes in the war in Ukraine. This is reported by the Italian news agency ANSA. – Gift package for Putin Professor Haaland Matlary says it is special that the Pope speaks so categorically about the ongoing war in Europe. But she emphasizes that there have been many and very unclear statements in several areas from the church leader in recent years. – It does not seem as if the staff around this pope play the same role as under previous church leaders. Haaland Matlary is not surprised that the move about the white flag and negotiations has received positive publicity in the Kremlin. – What Pope Francis says is a gift package for Putin. It is not every day that he receives support from a church leader who represents 1.3 billion believers.
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Haaland Matlary criticizes the pope’s statements about Ukraine – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
