Posted on 09/11/2022 3:43:25 AM PDT by jacknhoo
Pope Francis has been steadfast in his opposition to the war in Ukraine, decrying the violence that it has wrought on innocent civilians. At the same time, the pope suggested there was blame for the war to go around beyond Russia and Vladimir Putin.
On Tuesday, an Italian newspaper published an interview with Francis where he declined to state what he believed was Putin’s exact motivations for launching the war against Ukraine on Feb. 24. However, the pope suggested that the West could bear some responsibility for what he says may have been its provocation of Putin.
"Maybe it was NATO barking at Russia’s gate that compelled Putin to unleash the invasion of Ukraine," Francis speculated in the interview with Corriere Della Sera. He repeated that he had "no way of telling whether his [Putin's] rage" had been provoked, but added it was his suspicion the war was "maybe facilitated by the West's attitude."
He added: “You cannot think that a free state can wage war on another free state...In Ukraine, it seems that it was others who created the conflict."
Francis’ remarks may come as a surprise given his own critiques of the war. After it began, Francis himself made his way to the Russian embassy at the Vatican to “register his concerns” and he had made repeated overtures to Moscow to facilitate either a truce or humanitarian efforts. All of these were left unanswered by Russian officials. On April 13, Francis also lamented the killing of civilians in the war, something he said left the faithful troubled because it was "marked by the forces of evil."
The pope’s comments in a broad sense echoed recriminations made by Putin in the run-up of the war. During his address that announced the start of the “special military operation” against Ukraine, Putin accused NATO of moving only closer to Russian borders and argued it could "no longer just watch what is happening".
Asked by his interviewers whether a trip to Ukraine was in the cards, Francis declined to commit to one, insisting that it would be more appropriate to visit Russia first. However, Francis caveated this by insisting he is uncertain about whether any meeting with Putin will translate into progress towards ending the war.
He also declined to endorse the West’s supply of military weapons to Kyiv before accusing both sides of engaging in an immoral arms race. The United States and its European allies have been transferring heavier, more advanced weaponry to Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s retreat from around Kyiv. Francis said that the flow of weapons into Ukraine was a “disgrace”.
"What seems indisputable is that in that country both sides are trying out new weapons," Francis said. "The production and the sale of armaments is a disgrace, but few are bold enough to stand up against it."
This war started in 2014. Ask Victoria Nuland.
worst pope ever.
I am not a fan of this current Pope, but he is not wrong here. I agree that NATO “barking at Russia’s door” probably provoked Putin to strike out by invading Ukraine.
Russia invaded and murdered its neighbors long before NATO was a thing. Russia’s neighbors provoke them simply by existing.
At the end of the day you could say that about most countries . NATO existed to stop the expansion of the Soviet Union. That’s it’s only reason to exist , after that America should have pulled out. George Washington warned us about these long term international agreements and he was right.
Putinists are gathering quite an impressive list of allies. They have added the Red Pope to their anti American alliance with Death to America Iran, the CCP and North Korea.
How is that any different than the United States’ policy of manifest destiny or annexing Hawaii?
NATO also exists to keep the Germans from doing their thing. We weren’t counting on another Molotov-Ribbentrop, though. German reliance on Russian energy has been a disaster for the world.
Meanwhile, the pope’s bible continues to collect dust.
Hey, give him a break. His mind is just as sharp as Biden’s.
The Pope should learn how to code.
Dude wake up, its the 21st century.
Same here.
Worse, he took sides at the outset.
So now, the Pope is blaming the girl for getting raped? I missed that part of theology.
NATO served to blunt the expansion of the Soviet Union and today serves to protect Western Europe. I.e., alliances are as old as nations and tribes. If I lived in any Western European nation I would sleep better under a NATO alliance. The Ukraine Russia war may have been averted with a Ukraine in NATO.
> He’s not wrong.
Agree.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
The aggressive NATO expansion to the East started during the Clinton Administration as pointed out by Peter Hitchens who reported from Washington during the Clinton years.
George Kennan the author of “Containment” during the Cold War objected to the policy change.
The US has participated in coups to overthrow other governments John Bolton in essence admitted it in an interview earlier this year.
Russia saw NATO creeping eastward too far eastward for its comfort then the Ukraine coup of 2014.
“’Barking At Putin’s Door’: Pope Francis Suggests NATO Started War In Ukraine By Provoking Russia”
Everyone familiar with the history there knows he’s right - but for people with connections to Ukraine, I can see why they deny it.
Glad, at least, to see the Pope starting the discussion at a high level.
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