In March, Pope Francis made headlines by suggesting that Ukraine should muster the courage to wave the “white flag” and negotiate a peaceful end to the ongoing war with Russia. This recommendation came as a surprise to many, who argued that Ukraine had every right to defend its sovereignty. Unbeknownst to many, behind the Pope’s bold suggestion lay the influence of Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and public policy analyst, whose perspectives carry significant weight in international circles.
A professor at Columbia University and former director of the Earth Institute, Sachs has been advising the Vatican on geopolitical matters for nearly a decade. Known for his extensive work on sustainable development and poverty alleviation, Sachs’s insights into global issues have guided governments and international organisations for decades. The 69-year-old’s opinion on the Ukrainian conflict is grounded in a pragmatic understanding of geopolitical dynamics and the harsh realities of war. His influence on Pope Francis’s stance underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a reassessment of current strategies.
In an exclusive interview with Brussels Signal, Sachs elaborated on the rationale behind the Pope’s call for negotiations rather than continued conflict. “Pope Francis does not advocate surrender,” Sachs emphasised. “He advocates negotiations. Pope Francis believes that dialogue and negotiations are essential to restoring peace and meeting the security needs of people everywhere.” This perspective aligns with the Pope’s long-standing views on war, which he has described as “madness.” In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls for mutual respect and encounter with the “other,” principles that are crucial for lasting peace.
“The Pope is a profound thinker. He does not need me to point the way to peace. Quite the contrary. The Pope is a great inspiration to me, and should be an inspiration to all of us.”
One of the core reasons for advocating negotiations is the pervasive belief that Ukraine cannot win the war. This sentiment, reportedly shared even by the Biden administration, adds a layer of complexity to the discourse surrounding the conflict. Despite the mainstream media’s narrative that Ukraine will ultimately prevail, the reality on the ground tells a different story. “Russia is vastly larger than Ukraine in terms of economy, industry, military capacity, and population,” Sachs explained. “NATO can’t make up the difference. Russia is winning on the battlefield, but if Russia were ever to find itself losing, the war could quite possibly escalate to a nuclear war. As Obama indicated a decade ago, Russia has escalatory dominance.”
The insistence of the mainstream media (MSM) on Ukraine’s potential victory is not without its reasons. According to Sachs, “The US deep state has tried for around 30 years to expand NATO to Ukraine. The deep state of the US does not want to admit defeat, and so it steers the MSM to promise victory. This is a standard practice for US failed wars of choice, as seen in Vietnam, Iraq, and many other places.” This manipulation of public perception serves to prolong conflicts under the guise of achievable success, often at great cost to the countries involved.
For those who doubt Sachs’ argument, it is crucial to recall how the New York Times contributed to promoting the false narrative of weapons of mass destruction, which was used to justify the invasion of Iraq.
The war in Ukraine has had profound repercussions beyond its borders, particularly impacting Europe. The disruption to the European economy has been severe, with the loss of low-cost Russian gas hitting German industry hard. “The war has deeply disrupted the European economy, cut off low-cost Russian gas to German (and other) industry, broken highly profitable trade with Russia, left Europe globally uncompetitive, diverted public resources from domestic priorities to military outlays, and reduced Europe’s capacity to trade across Eurasia,” Sachs detailed. These setbacks have left Europe in a weakened position, struggling to maintain its competitive edge in the global market.
As the war drags on with no definitive end in sight, the implications for Europe’s future become increasingly dire. Sachs predicts that the war is likely to end around 2025, potentially sooner if political shifts in the US, such as the election of Trump and Vance, come to pass.
However, until such a resolution is reached, Europe faces a continued erosion of its economic and strategic standing. “The war is likely to end if Trump and Vance are elected. The war will end with Ukraine adopting a policy of neutrality, NATO ending its quest to expand to Ukraine, and with other terms determined in negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, the US, and perhaps the EU,” Sachs projected.
Trump recently selected J.D. Vance, a former United States Marine veteran, as his vice presidential candidate. On geopolitical matters, they are aligned, with Vance sharing Trump’s perspectives on issues such as opposing US military expansionism and the continuation of the war in Ukraine.
Which brings us back to Pope Francis. Deeply influenced by Sachs’s comprehensive understanding of global dynamics, His Holiness is not merely urging negotiations; he is championing a pragmatic approach to prevent further death, destruction, and devastation. His advocacy is for peace and humanity.
In contrast, the US and NATO are pushing for prolonged warfare. It appears that the notion of negotiations is non-negotiable.
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