The Helsinki accord was a masterpiece of European diplomacy. Fifty years on, we need its spirit more than ever | Kai Hebel and Richard Davy
The GuardianThursday, July 31, 2025 at 4:00:38 AM
NegativeWorld Affairs
Fifty years ago, the Helsinki Accords set a gold standard for European diplomacy, fostering cooperation and human rights during the Cold War. Today, with Putin’s relentless aggression in Ukraine, the authors argue that the spirit of Helsinki—dialogue, trust-building, and multilateralism—is desperately needed again. While the OSCE (born from those accords) hasn’t stopped Putin, it could still play a crucial role in brokering peace when the moment arrives. But with Putin’s expansionist ambitions and brutal tactics, the path forward is fraught.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a wake-up call. The Helsinki Accords proved that diplomacy can work even in tense standoffs, but today’s leaders seem to have forgotten that playbook. With Ukraine’s fate hanging in the balance, the piece reminds us that institutions like the OSCE might still offer a lifeline, even if hope feels thin right now. For anyone watching the war drag on, it’s a sobering reflection on what’s been lost—and what could still be saved.
— Curated by the World Pulse Now AI Editorial System
