The scandalous statement of Pope Francis that Ukrainians should "raise the white flag" and agree to negotiations with the Russian Federation may seem imprudent and ill-conceived only at first glance.

In fact, the Pope is not at all the kind of person who makes rash statements.

This opinion was expressed by political analyst, publicist Vitaly Portnikov on his YouTube channel.

The expert suggested that the pontiff needed these theses in order to show solidarity with the common position of the countries of the so-called "global south".

"After all, in recent months, even weeks, we have been observing the trend towards the need for negotiations with increasing intensity. The European tour of the Chinese special representative Li Hui, who visited Moscow, European capitals and Kyiv, is connected with this," says Portnikov.

The analyst recalled that during his meetings in Moscow, Kyiv, and Brussels, Li Hui constantly emphasized the need for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who offered his country as a platform for such consultations, also spoke about the need for negotiations during a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.

The countries of the so-called global south "test the mood"

"...The countries of the so-called "global south" are simply trying to check the mood after the end of the Ukrainian offensive against the positions of the Russian occupiers on the occupied Ukrainian lands and the beginning of the Russian offensive towards the Ukrainian territory, which is under the control of the legitimate government of Ukraine. And this check sentiments is absolutely obvious," the expert notes.

Portnikov noted that not only Pope Francis, but also many of the politicians of the countries of the "global south" may not be so frank, but absolutely clearly tell the Ukrainian authorities and people:

"You should start negotiations with Russia as soon as possible and agree at least to the conditions that the President of the Russian Federation is putting forward today. Vladimir Putin is determined to fight as long as it takes for the final liquidation of your state. So shouldn't we stop these attempts at liquidation now by agreeing with the conditions that will be comfortable for the Russian president and that will allow your state to exist, even as a country in the sphere of influence of the Russian Federation"

, - Vitaly Portnikov conveys the opinion of the countries of the "global south".

It will be recalled that Pope Francis said that he considers it a "courageous act" to raise the "white flag" and start negotiations with Russia with the participation of international mediators. 

The Vatican press service commented on the words of the Pope regarding the "white flag" of Ukraine.

There they assured that the pontiff meant a dialogue through negotiations, and not the capitulation of Kyiv.

The head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav also commented on the words of Francis.

TSN.ua collected everything that is known about the latest statement of the pontiff about the war in Ukraine.

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