We won't swallow it: Danilov on the Pope's peace initiatives
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov. Photo: Associated Press
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov criticized the statement of Pope Francis that the Vatican is involved in a "secret peace mission" aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking on the air of Radio Svoboda, the official said that it was "difficult for him to say what kind of initiative is meant."
“I have respect for the Pope, for the position, for the age of this person, but if someone believes that something can be negotiated behind our backs, and we will swallow it and accept some kind of ready-made decision ... we have a fairly robust civil society, and any decision on this war should be backed by our civil society,” Danilov said.
He assured that "no one is going to negotiate with anyone under the rug."
As the UOJ reported, an official close to the Office of the President earlier said that Volodymyr Zelensky did not give consent to negotiations with the participation of the Vatican, and if they are held, then this happens without the knowledge of the Ukrainian leadership.
At the same time, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US administration is aware of the pontiff's peacekeeping initiatives.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.