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.

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