"White Flag" in personal interests: why the Vatican urged Ukraine to sit at the negotiation table with the Russian Federation

The Vatican believes that Ukraine should sit at the negotiation table with the Russian Federation and thus show its courage. In Kiev, the words of Roman pontiff were adopted negatively. The focus understood why the Pope inclined Ukraine to peace with the Russian Federation at any cost. In an interview with Swiss RSI, Pope proposed to Ukraine in an interview with Swiss RSI "not ashamed of negotiations" and called "the courage" readiness "to raise the white flag.

" "I believe that those who see the situation are stronger those who think about people who have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate. And today it is possible to agree with the help of international states. The word" negotiations "is a bold word. When you see that you are defeated that things are not going well, you need to have a courage to negotiate, "the Pope said.

The pontiff added that there are many people who want to be intermediary in peace talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, marking Turkey. After the words of the Pope caused misunderstanding in Ukraine, the head of the Vatican Matteo Brunney press service tried to explain that the pontiff only intended to call for ceasefire and did not call for capitulation.

However, in Kiev, it was made that they do not consider any opportunities to negotiate with the Russian Federation, especially from the standpoint of the "white flag". From the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, Pope Francis has repeatedly declared the Vatican's readiness to be a mediator in the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The media reported that the pontiff was personally asked for French President Emmanuel Macron.

In October 2022, he appealed to the Pope to call Vladimir Putin and persuade him to stop fighting in Ukraine. During the conversation, the politician also suggested that Pontiff negotiate with US President Joe Biden and Patriarch of the ROC Cyril. After that, the Kremlin stated that they were ready to conduct a dialogue with the Vatican to reach peace in Ukraine.

The President's office first considered the idea of ​​involving the Holy See as a neutral platform for possible negotiations with the Russian Federation. However, shortly after a series of public confessions of the Pope in the love of the Russian people, the Cross of the Russian Russian and Ukrainian, as well as the words of Pontiff about the "great inheritance" of the Russian Federation in Kiev refused such cooperation.

Moreover, in Kiev openly say that they do not consider the possibility of peace talks with the Russian Federation in the near future. According to President Vladimir Zelensky, this topic can only become relevant when Moscow begins to accept the final document on the Ukrainian formula of peace. "If the Russian Federation is ready to perceive this document, then the negotiations will be relevant.

I do not see Russia's request for negotiations," - explained the head of the Ukrainian state at a press conference in December 2023. However, the topic of mediation in the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war has recently actualized. And because experts believe that the Pope made his statements. "Games have begun now about the development of negotiation track with Russia and competition through this issue," says political scientist Oleg Posternak.

According to the expert, the recent visit of China's Special Representative for Eurasia Le Huai to Moscow and Ukraine, as well as the EU headquarters in Brussels, Poland, Germany and France, indicates a recent visit to Eurasia Li Huai to Moscow and Ukraine, as well as the EU Headquarters. As well as another statement by Turkish President Recep Erdogan that his country is ready to accept the "peaceful summit" with the participation of the Russian Federation.

"I think it intensified the Vatican, who also wanted to take part in the settlement of war in Ukraine. There was a whole papal mission to Moscow and Kiev, in addition, perhaps the Vatican plays a role in the liberation The Vatican. There was nothing unusual in the comment. But such a statement again united Ukrainians who are skeptical of the idea of ​​peace at any cost, "the expert adds.

The reason for the recovery of conversations about mediation in the international community was some successes of the Russian army at the front, experts say. And also attempts to influence the preparation of the global "Peace Summit", which is planned to be held in Switzerland. Representatives of more than 160 countries will be invited to the event. The date has not yet been announced, but it is known that Russia will not be included in the invited.

"The Russian economy withstands sanction pressure, Putin intensifies trade cooperations with China, Turkey and Central Asia. All this creates a lot of fears with Ukraine's partners, whether it is worthwhile to get into the war, whether to help our country further. Although the Vatican statements will not be the main guideline for the West, They can affect the countries of the global south, for which the position of the Pope is important, " - says Posternak.

Political scientist Igor Reityrovich notes that talking about the need to sit at the negotiation table with the Russian Federation occurs periodically, depending on the situation at the front. Kyiv needs to be prepared for the fact that they will be more and more frequent, since fatigue is increasing from the war, and countries that claim the role of mediator in the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war compete for the opportunity to play a significant role in the international site.

However, only partners of Ukraine, ready to act as intermediaries for future negotiations, can be considered as intermediaries. "The Vatican had the opportunity to participate in the settlement of the war, but they lost it. And now no one will consider them seriously for this," the expert adds. Theoretically, Switzerland could be a neutral mediator in the negotiation process, but the Kremlin does not suit this option.

Therefore, Turkey remains among the possible applicants - this country could provide a site for negotiations, Posternak says. And also Saudi Arabia is like a country that occupies a moderate-industrial position and is likely to satisfy the Kremlin. However, in order to consider the possibility of negotiations with the Russian Federation in Kiev, the Russian side, according to the focus interlocutors, should stop speaking ultimatums and withdrawing troops from the Ukrainian territories.

Complete Ukraine can stop Western aid, Posterak says. But so far, such statements are voiced only by Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the context of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. "All this does not mean that Europe will refuse to help Ukraine. In addition, it will be necessary to support the idea of ​​peace within the country. It is not yet," the expert sums up.