The Pope had, among other things, called on Ukraine to have “courage to negotiate” and suggested raising the “white flag”. Government spokesman Hebestreit emphasized that Ukraine was defending itself against an aggressor.
Yesterday evening, Foreign Minister Baerbock expressed her lack of understanding. The Green politician said on ARD television that if there was a minimal chance that the Russian regime would show a willingness to talk, “then the whole world would be there and talk.” Unfortunately, we see the opposite every day.
Criticism from the Union
Leading politicians from the CDU and CSU used a presidium meeting in Berlin to make their position clear. Hesse’s head of government Rhein said before the meeting began that nothing would be solved in Ukraine by hoisting white flags. As a devout Catholic, he finds it difficult to understand the Pope’s statements. CSU regional group leader Dobrindt said Francis’ statements should be viewed “from a given perspective.”
Saxony’s Prime Minister Kretschmer, also a CDU, takes a different point of view. He told the Germany editorial network that he shared the Pope’s call for negotiations. It is clear that Ukraine must be supported and that Russia is the aggressor in this war, emphasized the CDU politician. “Nevertheless, we must make greater efforts to end war deaths,” he added.
Stoltenberg warns of Russian occupation of Ukraine
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg called for further military overthrow of Ukraine. Stoltenberg criticized the Pope’s statement on Deutschlandfunk. Giving up does not mean peace for Ukraine, but rather Russian occupation. The aim of negotiations must be a solution that preserves Ukraine as a sovereign, independent country.
Russia sees itself vindicated
Russia saw itself confirmed by the Pope’s statements. Foreign Office spokeswoman Zakharova told the Italian news agency Insa: “As I see it, the Pope is asking the West to put aside its ambitions and admit that it was wrong.”
The leader of the BSW party, Wagenknecht, called the criticism of Francis “disrespectful.” She also called for a ceasefire and peace negotiations “instead of ever-increasing deliveries of weapons,” which the German taxpayer could no longer afford, she told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The German Bishops’ Conference has described Pope Francis’ statements about the war in Ukraine as “unfortunate”. Her spokesman told the German Press Agency that the Pope had not suggested that Ukraine surrender. It was an appeal for negotiations. From the perspective of the German bishops, Ukraine must itself consider when the moment has come for peace negotiations, the spokesman emphasized.
The Central Committee of German Catholics called on Francis to appeal to Russia to end the war against the neighboring country.
more on the subject
This message was sent on March 11, 2024 on the Deutschlandfunk program.