Ukraine has vehemently rebuffed Pope Francis' call for Kyiv to engage in negotiations to halt its conflict with Russia and to exhibit "the courage to raise the white flag".

The country's foreign minister asserts that Ukraine will only fly its national colors of blue and yellow, refusing any other symbols. President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the remarks as "virtual mediation".

A Vatican spokesperson clarified that the Pope was advocating for cessation of hostilities through dialogue, not capitulation.

The remarks were made during an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI in February and are set to broadcast on 20th March as part of a cultural program.

According to a transcript cited by Reuters, the Pope was questioned about the ongoing debate regarding whether Ukraine should pursue reconciliation with Russia - colloquially termed waving the "white flag" - or reject such overtures, viewed by some as legitimizing aggression.

The Pope was quoted as saying: "The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," he added.

The statement has triggered a barrage of criticism.

During his nightly video address on Sunday, President Zelensky did not directly refer to the Pope, but instead praised the work of Ukrainian chaplains on the frontline.

He said: "They are on the frontline, protecting life and humanity, supporting with prayer, conversation, and deeds.

"This is what the church is - it is together with people, not two-and-a-half thousand kilometres away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

Earlier on Sunday Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media: "Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags."

Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican compared the Pope's comments to those who advocated talks with Adolf Hitler during Word War Two.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked whether the Pope would, for balance, encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine.

There has also been strong criticism from Ukrainians on social media, including the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church.

In response to the row, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had "picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate... a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".

He added the Pope had made it clear that "negotiations are never a surrender".

More than two years after Russia's full-scale attack, Ukraine is on the defensive. Last month Russian troops captured the strategic town of Avdiivka.

Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages.

In Washington a bill to provide $60bn (£47bn) to Ukraine has been blocked in the US Congress and European countries are struggling to agree on ways to support Kyiv.

May God intervene in Russia/Ukraine war

May God intervene in Russia/Ukraine war

May God intervene in Russia/Ukraine war

May God intervene in Russia/Ukraine war

Noted

God have mercy