The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, has issued a stark warning against any peace settlement for Ukraine that involves territorial concessions, arguing such a move would fundamentally undermine the international order and risk escalating global conflict. In an interview with Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, the former German Foreign Minister cautioned that rewarding aggression through territorial adjustments would be a dangerous precedent, essentially providing a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for future military actions.
Baerbock’s statement directly challenges a growing discourse surrounding potential negotiations, particularly those exploring the possibility of Russia retaining control over certain regions of Ukraine. She warned that such actions would embolden powerful nations to resort to force to achieve their geopolitical objectives, destabilizing the world and threatening the security of nations lacking significant military capabilities. “We must not condemn an act of war and then reward it” she stated, emphasizing that a just and lasting peace must be firmly anchored in the principles of the UN Charter.
While acknowledging the potentially vital role of the UN in securing a ceasefire within Ukraine, Baerbock stressed that any discussion of such involvement is premature. She underscored the prerequisite of a genuine political will from all parties, specifically Russia, to end the conflict. “First, there must be a ceasefire and a peace agreement and then we can talk about how to secure it” she said, highlighting Russia’s current unwillingness as a primary obstacle.
Beyond a broader political resolution, Baerbock also emphasized the critical importance of incremental steps towards peace, specifically referencing the urgent repatriation of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia from occupied territories. “We must not close our eyes to the daily barbarity, simply because it has been going on for so long” she observed, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the need to address immediate humanitarian concerns alongside diplomatic efforts. Her comments signal a firm stance against compromises that would legitimize Russia’s actions and a call for a renewed focus on upholding international law and protecting vulnerable populations.