Haaland Matlary criticizes the Pope's statements regarding Ukraine – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

The Pope says in an interview that Ukraine does not need to be ashamed if the country begins 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 an interview with the Swiss national radio RSI.

The full interview with the Pope will not be published until March 20. The French news agency reported the statement.

– Not in line with church teachings

– The Pope's statements are very unfortunate and very surprising, says Professor of Political Science at the University of Oslo, Jan Haaland Matlari, to NRK.

She is a Catholic and was for many years a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and a member of the Council of Justice and Peace. In addition, she represented the Holy See (Vatican) in several United Nations conferences.

Haaland Matlary confirms that what the Pope says is not in line with the Church’s teachings on “just war,” as stated in the Catechism.

This means that there can be no peace without justice. The country that is exposed to aggression has the right to defend itself and seek help from others.

This principle is also stipulated in the United Nations Charter, in addition to the fact that the United Nations has a just war policy.

The professor points out that the Church has always been suspicious of war, and will always want to try peace mediation. In Ukraine, Russia is clearly guilty of aggression.

The Pope should encourage Russia to withdraw to internationally recognized borders. Only then can you negotiate, says Haaland Matlare.

There is no understanding in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky flatly rejects the Pope's call to start peace negotiations.

The church must be among the people. “It is not 2,500 kilometers away, somewhere, to actually mediate between someone who wants to live, and someone who wants to kill you,” Zelensky said on Sunday.

He went on to say that “when Russian evil started this war,” “all Ukrainians stood up to defend themselves.” Christians, Muslims, Jews – everyone.”

Zelensky thanked all Ukrainian clergy who cooperate with the defense. They contribute at the forefront through prayer and good deeds, and as partners in the conversation, Zelensky said.

“This is how the church is with people,” he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also commented on the call.

-Our flag is yellow and blue. Under this flag we live, die and win. We will never raise any other flag,” says Kuliba.

European countries are angry

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he does not agree with what Pope Francis is saying.

– If we want a negotiated, peaceful and lasting solution, we must provide military support to Ukraine, says Stoltenberg.

He also believes that what happens around the negotiating table is closely linked to power on the battlefield.

Some Ukrainian supporters interpreted the move as unilateral, directed only at Ukrainians, and a call for surrender.

– What about urging Putin to have the courage necessary to withdraw the army from Ukraine without compensation? Then peace would come immediately without the need for negotiations, as Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote in X.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock strongly criticized Pope Francis for encouraging Ukraine to start peace talks with Russia.

– I didn't understand. Some things can only be understood if you see them with your own eyes, says Burbuk, who has visited Kiev several times since the Russian invasion two years ago.

In an interview with the German channel ARD, Baerbock spoke, among other things, about his meetings with Ukrainian children.

– I asked myself where the Pope is. She says the Pope should know that.

Germany is Ukraine's second-largest supplier of arms and ammunition, and Baerbock stresses the importance of helping the country.

– If the Ukrainians and their allies do not show strength now, there will never be peace, she says.

Russian leaders are positive

On the other hand, the Russian authorities are positive about Pope Francis' move.

– It is fully understood that he is positive about the negotiations, says President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, according to the Reuters news agency.

He points out that Russia agreed several times to negotiations, but Ukraine did not agree to them.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also commented on the matter. She says that the Pope asks Western countries to abandon their ambition to overcome Russia and acknowledge their mistakes in the war in Ukraine. According to the Italian news agency ANSA.

– A gift package for Putin

Professor Haaland Matlary says it is special for the Pope to speak categorically about the ongoing war in Europe.

But she confirms that many and not very clear statements have been issued in several areas by the church leader in recent years.

– The employees surrounding this Pope do not seem to play the same role

As was the case with previous church leaders.

Haaland Matlary was not surprised that the move regarding the white flag and negotiations received positive publicity in the Kremlin.

– What Pope Francis says is a gift to Putin. It is not every day that he receives support from a church leader who represents 1.3 billion believers.