The Helsinki accord was a masterpiece of European diplomacy. Fifty years on, we need its spirit more than ever | Kai Hebel and Richard Davy

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.