Ukraine conflict is a result of NATO incitement: Pope Francis -

Vatican City: Respected supreme Christian leader Pope Francis criticised that the Ukraine conflict resulted from the NATO incitement to Russia. Pope Francis has proposed to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to make an effort to stop the Ukraine conflict. President Putin has still not responded to this. Against this background, Pope Francis has held NATO responsible for the Ukraine conflict during an interview with an Italian newspaper.

Reports had been published that Pope Francis was to visit the conflict-torn Ukraine. But Pope Francis clarified that not he but his representatives would be visiting Ukraine. Pope Francis clarified during the interview ‘Before Ukraine, I want to meet President Vladimir Putin. A proposal has been sent to President Putin in this respect. But there has been no reply from his side.’ At the same time, Pope Francis criticised NATO expansionism as responsible for the Ukraine conflict.

Pope Francis denounced the NATO policies saying, ‘NATO is barking at Russia’s door’ Pope Francis said during the interview that there was a Russian reaction against this and the Ukraine conflict started. At the same time, he sincerely appealed that the conflict needs to be stopped. Pope Francis expressed hope that the Ukrainian soldiers trapped in the steel factory under siege by the Russian forces in Mariupol were safely rescued. Pope Francis expected that efforts should be made to establish peace without siding any country.

The global media have highlighted the statements made by Pope Francis. Pope Francis wants to collaborate with the Orthodox Church in Russia. A thousand years ago, this Orthodox Church dissociated from Rome, the leading centre for Christians. Some news agencies informed that Pope Francis was preparing to cooperate with the Orthodox Church by meeting the Russian President.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis said during the interview that the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban informed that the Ukraine conflict might end on the 9th of May. Russia had attained victory over Nazi Germany on the 9th of May 1945. Pope Francis said that Prime Minister Orban assured that this year, while celebrating the occasion, Russia will announce an end to the Ukraine conflict.