"Ukraine, wounded but not defeated, will never surrender": UGCC Head comments on Pope's statement on "white flag"

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav spoke about the support and solidarity of the Catholic world with Ukraine, the Pope's statements and hope for victory in an interview with a journalist of the Voice of America, reports UNN.

 This message is that Ukraine is wounded, but not conquered. That Ukraine is exhausted. Obviously, because the war is exhausting for all of us . But Ukraine will never kneel down. It will never surrender. I think now, more than ever, this message is one of strength and hope. The hope for victory from here in New York has spread all over the world.

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The head of the UGCC, Patriarch Sviatoslav, spent last week in the United States, where he met with representatives of the American authorities and parishioners.

According to the publication , on March 10, at the invitation of Cardinal Timothy Donal, he held a joint service in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

The head of the UGCC also noted that one of his stories during the conversation with the cardinal impressed the latter so much that he said he would use it in his Easter sermon. He noted the warm welcome in Washington and emphasized that the entire Catholic church community is on the side of Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian church also commented on Pope Francis' recent statements regarding the "white flag.

The Pope meant readiness to negotiate. And from the very beginning, Ukraine was ready to talk to everyone. But the problem was that the Russian aggressive authorities did not consider us as an interlocutor, we were not a subject of negotiations for them. Ukraine has no meaning for them, no reason to exist. Therefore, from the very beginning, it was clear that the only way we could stay alive was to defend ourselves. And this is the message that we are conveying to the whole world today, including the Holy Father.

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Last week , Pope Francis, speaking about the war unleashed by Russia, said that Ukraine should have what he called the courage of a "white flag" and negotiate.  

Later , Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni explained that Pope Francis declared a "white flag" , expressing hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, referring to Ukraine as a country that has always been a "martyr.

The Kremlin once again  speculated on the Pope's statement, with the Russians saying they were ready for  talks, but Kyiv allegedly opposed a diplomatic solution to the situation.

Ukraine expressed disappointment with Pope Francis' statement on the demonstration of the "white flag" and negotiations with Russia, the aggressor, emphasizing the need for a just peace based on the principles of the UN and the Ukrainian Peace Formula.