Baerbock: UN peacekeeping forces could secure a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine

UN General Assembly President Annalen Baerbock confirmed that UN peacekeeping forces could play a crucial role in supporting a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine, should a peace treaty be reached between Kyiv and Moscow.

In a statement to the German newspaper "Bild", Baerbock said:

"If a peace treaty is reached, it must be secured in the best possible way, and if the majority of member states say that peacekeeping forces (blue helmets) are needed for this purpose, this is something we hope will ensure lasting peace."

The former German Foreign Minister added that the presence of "blue helmets" could be a guaranteeing element for the post-conflict phase, as international efforts continue to seek a political exit to the crisis that has lasted for more than three years.

Allied countries to Ukraine have been working for months, especially behind the scenes, on visions for a potential transitional phase in the war, ranging from a limited ceasefire to a comprehensive peace agreement.

However, these efforts are hindered by a fundamental condition: Russia's willingness to sit at the negotiating table, which has not been achieved so far.

Since the outbreak of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been strongly demanding clear security guarantees to ensure its sovereignty in the event of a cessation or end of military operations.

Some military and academic experts believe that ensuring stability in Ukraine after the war may require the deployment of forces reaching "six figures", meaning hundreds of thousands of soldiers, whether from allied European countries or within a UN peacekeeping mission.

Options may include deploying UN forces as observers in sensitive areas to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement's provisions and to prevent any new tensions from arising.

It is noted that Annalen Baerbock officially assumed this week the position of President of the UN General Assembly, which is largely an honorary position that does not grant her executive powers like those of the UN Secretary-General, but it gives her an influential diplomatic platform to express the aspirations of the international community.

The answer depends on Moscow's decision... and the world's readiness to implement the will for peace.