In response to the scandalous statement of Pope Francis that Ukraine should raise a "white flag" and negotiate with the aggressor, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations stated that no one will ever force the Ukrainian people to capitulate.

The relevant appeal was published on the evening of March 10 on the official page of the Russian Federation of Regional Development and Trade Unions.

"Ukraine is bleeding, but it stands for the Truth, for the right to be itself.

Stands bravely and irresistibly.

And if it capitulated, then Europe, maybe the whole world would immediately feel it," it says.

The VRCiRO emphasized that in case of capitulation of Ukraine, the "Russian peace" would bring to other countries the "crimes of Buchi and Irpen", the death of children and the torture of priests.

"We pray for peace every day.

For the return of our soldiers from the front, hostages from captivity, refugees from abroad.

For understanding between peoples and healing the wounds caused by war.

But surrendering to the mercy of this enemy is not about peace.

This is about the victory of slavery over freedom, darkness over light, about the supremacy of the right of the strong over the force of law," the appeal emphasized.

Representatives of Ukrainian churches and religious organizations noted that capitulation to evil means the collapse of the "universal idea of ​​justice" and is "a betrayal of the fundamental instructions bequeathed to us in the great spiritual traditions." 

"We bless and will bless our faithful for the defense of our country, we will pray for Victory over the enemy and a just peace, we will extend our hand to all people of good will who support Ukraine at this crucial time.

We believe and know that we will never be alone in this," the appeal concluded. 

The statement ends with a quote from a psalm: "For the Lord loves a just judgment and will not abandon those who are faithful to Him.

They will be preserved forever" (Ps. 36:28).

Read the leading news of the day:

One step closer to capturing Kyiv: Budanov revealed unique details about who and how stopped the invaders

The head of the UGCC reacted to the Pope's words about the "white flag" and negotiations with the Russian Federation

"I asked to be killed": the poignant story of a soldier who survived after being hit by an enemy drone

We will remind, in an interview with the Swiss television and radio company RSI, 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. 

Later, the Vatican press service clarified that the Pope used the term "white flag" suggested by his interviewer to indicate the cessation of hostilities and the truce achieved with the help of "courageous negotiations."

The pontiff did not mean the capitulation of Ukraine.