At a high-level diplomatic summit on the Danish island of Bornholm, Foreign Ministers from the Nordic and Baltic countries, alongside their counterparts from Germany, France, and Poland, have expressed a shared openness to deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. The meeting, held within the framework of the NB8 group, reflected an increasingly unified stance in support of Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian invasion.
“We are not in disagreement. We all agree that a peacekeeping mission is necessary—we just envision different roles,” said Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, whose country shares a 650-kilometer border with Russia and considers itself a frontline state.
Peacekeepers require lasting ceasefire to proceed
While there is strong political alignment on the need for a peacekeeping mission, several Ministers emphasized that such a mission can only proceed if there is a long-term ceasefire. For now, no agreement has been reached on the exact preconditions for the deployment of troops.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who hosted the meeting as part of Denmark’s rotating presidency of the NB8, stated there was no fundamental disagreement among the countries involved. However, he and others acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
“We have decided that we will participate at a high level,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, noting Estonia’s status as a frontline NATO member close to Russia. “But there are many conditions that must be met.”
Strong transatlantic messaging and NATO pressure
Ministers used the opportunity to reiterate their strong support for Ukraine, with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard noting that the Nordic-Baltic bloc can act as a “strong voice” in relation to the United States and other NATO members.
“Ukraine from day one has shown that they want peace and are willing to contribute to it, while Russia has only moved the goalposts,” Stenergard said.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kėstutis Budrys stressed the importance of upholding international law, warning that failure to defend principles like territorial integrity and self-determination would amount to “opening Pandora’s box” in global diplomacy.
Increasing pressure on Russia
Despite repeated Ukrainian efforts toward diplomacy, several officials accused Russia of escalating attacks, particularly on civilian targets and infrastructure.
French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad stated: “Despite Ukraine’s attempts to achieve a ceasefire and a lasting peace, Russia refuses to participate in serious diplomatic negotiations.”
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide underlined the gravity of the moment, calling it “probably the most dramatic period in modern history.”
Implications for European security
The talks on Bornholm underscore a growing recognition among Northern and Eastern European nations that the security of Ukraine is directly tied to the security of Europe.
“Without sustainable peace in Ukraine, there will be no peace in Europe,” Budrys said.
While concrete action on peacekeeping forces remains distant and conditional, the unified message from the NB8 and key EU states signals a strengthened diplomatic front and potential military coordination in the months ahead.
