Pope Francis said in an interview that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to carry out peace talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy smiles during a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following their meeting at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, March 8, 2024.

The pope made his appeal during an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI, which was partially released on Saturday.

“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,” Francis said, adding that talks should take place with the help of international powers.

Ukraine remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times the initiative in peace negotiations must belong to the country which has been invaded.

Russia is gaining momentum on the battlefield in the war now in its third year and Ukraine is running low on ammunition. Meanwhile, some of Ukraine’s allies in the West are delicately raising the prospect of sending troops.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Saturday that Francis picked up the “white flag” term that had been used by the interviewer. He issued a statement of clarification after the pope’s “white flag” comments sparked criticism that he was siding with Russia in the conflict.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was “barking at Russia’s door” with its eastward expansion.

Francis said in the RSI interview that “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,” he said. “Negotiations are never a surrender.”

The pope also reminded people that some countries have offered to act as mediators in the conflict.

“Today, for example, in the war in Ukraine, there are many who want to mediate,” he said. “Turkey has offered itself for this. And others. Do not be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — whose NATO-member country has sought to balance its close relations with both Ukraine and Russia — has offered during a visit Friday from Zelenskyy to host a peace summit between the two countries.

Pope Francis urges all parties in Ukraine to negotiate for peace

Pope Francis said people might be ashamed but asked how many lives were being lost.

Pope Francis has urged parties in the Ukraine war to “negotiate before things get worse”, in an interview published Saturday by Swiss television.

The 87-year-old pontiff was asked by the public broadcaster RTS about a debate within Ukraine on whether to surrender to Russia’s invasion, or if that would only legitimise the power of force.

“I believe that the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate,” he said in the interview, conducted in early February.

Speaking about war in general, including the Hamas-Israel war, he added: “Negotiations are never a surrender. It is the courage not to carry a country to suicide.”

“That word negotiate is a brave word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not working out, to have the courage to negotiate,” he said.

The head of the worldwide Catholic Church said people might be ashamed but asked how many lives were being lost.

“Today, for example with the war in Ukraine, there are many who want to act as mediators. Turkey for example,” he said.

“Don’t be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse.”

War is made by two, not one’

His comments came as Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed again that he could host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.

Mr Erdogan made the fresh offer after a meeting in Istanbul with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Zelensky has said while he wants peace he will not give up any territory. The Ukrainian leader’s own peace plan calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from all of Ukraine and the restoration of its state borders.

The Kremlin has ruled out engaging in peace talks on terms set by Kyiv.

A spokesman for Mr Zelensky did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Pope’s remarks.

Francis was also asked about the Israel-Hamas war, where he laid blame on both sides.

“War is made by two, not one. The irresponsible ones are these two who wage war,” he told the broadcaster.