During his visit to the French island of Corsica, Pope Francis called for immediate peace between Ukraine and Russia. In his statement, quoted by the BBC, he described Ukrainians and Russians as "brothers, cousins". The Pope expressed hope for lasting peace and stressed that "war is always a defeat", News.bg reports.
Negative reaction in Ukraine
Comments on "fraternal" relations between the two peoples have caused discontent in Ukraine. Ukrainians often perceive these statements as inappropriate, since Russian politicians often refer to the concept of "kinship" between Russians and Ukrainians to justify their aggressive policy.
- Historical justification of Russian aggression: Vladimir Putin's article “On the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians“ is an example of an ideological framework used to legitimize the invasion of Ukraine.
- Impact on society: Ukrainian public sentiment is highly sensitive to rhetoric that suggests closeness or brotherhood between peoples in the context of war.
Criticism of the Pope's previous statements
Pope Francis' statements on the war in Ukraine have repeatedly been the subject of criticism:
- Call for negotiations in March 2024: The Pope encouraged Ukraine to seek negotiations, warning of a possible escalation. This position was received negatively in Kiev, with then-Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressing dissatisfaction, stating that one cannot seek a balance between good and evil.
- The 2023 Easter procession: The Vatican's decision to invite Ukrainian and Russian youth to participate in a joint procession has drawn criticism from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, which described the actions as inappropriate during a time of war.
Although Pope Francis seeks to play a unifying role and promote dialogue and peace, some of his statements and actions often lead to tensions in Ukraine. Emphasizing the “fraternal” ties between Ukrainians and Russians, in the context of military aggression, continues to provoke criticism and disapproval in the affected countries.