Pope Francis: Ukraine “defeated”, needs “white flag” “courage”

In the interview Francis was asked for his position on a debate between those who say Ukraine should give up as it has not been able to repel Russian forces, and those who say doing so would legitimise actions by the strongest party. The interviewer used the term "white flag" in the question.

"It is one interpretation, that is true," Francis said, according to an advance transcript of the interview…
"But I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates. The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.”

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It was believed to be the first time Francis has used terms such as "white flag" or "defeated" in discussing the Ukraine war…