Pope Francis said in an interview that Ukraine should have the "courage" to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

The interview was recorded last month with Radio Télévision Suisse (RSI) and partially released on Saturday.

"I think that 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," Francis said, according to the Associated Press. He also said talks should take place with the help of international powers.

Ukraine has repeatedly said it would not engage directly with Russia on peace talks after the invasion more than two years ago.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said while he wants peace he will not give up any territory to Russia, which has occupied about 20% of Ukraine. 

The Vatican was questioned about the pope's response and whether his reference to the "white flag" meant a surrender.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, responded by saying, "The Pope picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. His hope is for a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace."

He went on to add, "Elsewhere in the interview, speaking of another situation of conflict, but referring to every situation of war, the Pope clearly stated: 'Negotiations are never a surrender.'"

The full interview with the public broadcaster is expected to be released later this month.

A spokesman for Zelenskyy did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the pope's remarks.

He previously said that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the invasion and that tens of thousands of civilians had been killed.

The pope was previously slammed for a statement praising Russia's imperial past he made to a Russian youth group last year.