The President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, has issued a stark warning against incorporating territorial concessions into any potential peace settlement for Ukraine, arguing that doing so would fundamentally undermine the international order and risk escalating global conflict. Speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Baerbock cautioned that rewarding aggression would create a dangerous precedent, effectively issuing a “get-out-of-jail-free card” to aggressor states.
“We condemn an act of war, we do not reward it” she stated, highlighting the grave implications for nations globally. “If aggression is rewarded, we will not reap peace, but further wars. It would be an encouragement to global military powers to employ further violence to assert their interests or redraw borders. Few countries in the world could then sleep soundly, as the vast majority are neither military nor nuclear powers.
Baerbock’s comments represent a pointed critique of potential negotiation strategies currently being discussed, particularly those that might involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. She underscored that a just and sustainable peace must be rooted in the principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing the inviolability of the prohibition on the use of force. Suggesting that accepting territorial changes would signal a disregard for this cornerstone of international law, she implied it would embolden other states contemplating similar actions.
Regarding a potential role for the United Nations in guaranteeing a ceasefire in Ukraine, Baerbock adopted a more cautious stance. She stressed that a ceasefire and peace agreement must first materialize before considering the mechanisms for ensuring its security. Crucially, she pointed to the necessity of Russia demonstrating a genuine willingness to end the conflict as a prerequisite for any such involvement.
While acknowledging that small steps towards peace are vital, Baerbock also stressed that the ongoing atrocities must not be ignored. She specifically referenced the plight of Ukrainian children reportedly forcibly relocated to Russia, urging continued attention and action to safeguard their well-being and secure their return. “We must not close our eyes to daily barbarity, simply because it has been ongoing for so long”. Her remarks serve as a firm reminder of the moral and legal obligations facing the international community in navigating the ongoing crisis.
