The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to the actions of the Vatican, which, during the procession yesterday, April 7, attracted two teenage boys to the procession: a Ukrainian, who was forced to flee from the invaders from his native Mariupol, and a Russian, whose brother, father and grandfather took part in.

Office spokesman Oleg Nikolenko expressed disappointment that the Holy See did not listen to the arguments of the Ukrainian side about the offensive nature of such a gesture and stressed that this step equates the victim with the aggressor.

“An attempt to equate suffering Ukraine and Russia, which is the cause of this suffering, does not contribute to reconciliation. Reconciliation can come only after the Ukrainian victory, the punishment of all Russian criminals, repentance for the suffering and asking for forgiveness before the Ukrainians,” the speaker wrote on Facebook, adding that Ukraine, at the same time, is deeply grateful to Pope Francis for his care.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the joint participation of a Ukrainian and a Russian distorts the reality into which Russia plunged Ukrainians, committing genocide against them, and undermines the principles of justice and universal morality, discredits the concept of peace and brotherhood.

“We expect that the Holy See will continue to adhere to an approach that will be based on a deep understanding of justice and responsibility for restoring peace in Ukraine and establishing justice,” the Foreign Ministry stressed..

Last year, a Ukrainian and a Russian woman carried the cross at the procession in the Vatican.. Thus, they decided to symbolically “reconcile” Ukrainians and Russians. Then this outraged the Ukrainians and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry tried to prevent this by writing an appeal to the Papal Throne.