In Russia, it was stated that the Pope’s call for peace in Ukraine is directed towards the West

Pope Francis’ words about the losing side in the conflict in Ukraine raising a white flag and going to negotiations are addressed to the West.

This was stated in a comment to the ANSA agency by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I see it this way: Pope Francis is asking the West to abandon its ambitions and acknowledge its mistake,” she said.

Zakharova added that Russia has never blocked peaceful negotiations with Ukraine.

Earlier, it was reported that Pope Francis, in an interview with the RSI television and radio company, suggested that the losing side find the courage to acknowledge this and go to negotiations under the white flag.

According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the pontiff thereby indicated the cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire.

Recall that Zelensky responded to the pope, accusing him of allegedly engaging in “virtual mediation between those who want to live and those who want to destroy you.”

It is worth noting that Moscow has repeatedly stated its readiness to hold negotiations with Kiev, but at the end of September 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree stating the impossibility of such dialogue.