Pe’s ambivalent position regarding Russian-Ukrainian war influenced by his team – Latvian ex-president

Vejonis said this in an interview with Ukrinform, commenting on Francis' ambiguous statements and actions regarding the current war.

Vejonis noted that Pe Francis, of course, has his own clear position and, as a pontiff, he wants "peace in the whe world." "But, as in any other state, the administration plays a big re in Vatican. You can be a leader, but you have your team… It should be taken into account that he is surrounded by Cathics from all over the world, from different countries, with different views, in particular, views regarding Russia, Ukraine, and Eure. Among others, they influence the selection of information, the formation of the position," Vejonis said.

According to him, Pe Francis is trying to balance his attitude regarding various issues, not to take one side or another. "Of course, in many cases this is quite normal. But now, it seems to me, the situation (regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, – ed.) is such that sooner or later he will have to take a side," said the Latvian pitician.

Vejonis believes that after five meetings with Pe Francis, they have develed "friendly, trusting communication."

Read also: Pe Francis meets with relatives of Ukrainian POWs

Raimonds Vejonis was Latvia’s Minister of Defense (2014-2015) and the ninth President of Latvia (2015-2019). He is currently serving his second term as head of the Latvian Basketball Association (LBS). In this position, he contributes in every possible way to supporting Ukraine, Ukrainian athletes, as well as Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.

As reported by Ukrinform, Pe Francis during his meeting with parishioners on Sunday, September 1, condemned Russia's massive shelling of Ukrainian infrastructure.

At the same time, before that, commenting on the new law of Ukraine on the ban on the activity of religious organizations in Ukraine, which have a leadership center in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine, he said: "Please, let no Christian Church be abished directly or indirectly: churches cannot be touched."