UNITED NATIONS, December 17. /TASS/. The UN stands ready to play a supportive role in advancing peace in Ukraine, based on the organization’s charter and international law, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general.

He made the statement in response to a request to comment on a recent statement by Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who said a hypothetical peacemaking mission in Ukraine should take place under the auspices of the UN.

"We're not in the business of speculating. What we want to see is an end to the conflict in respect for General Assembly resolutions, international law, territorial integrity of Ukraine," he said. "The secretary-general's been very clear we will play a supporting role in whatever way we can, within the parameters of the [UN] charter."

According to Crosetto, it is not for the EU to take charge of any future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. In an interview with La Repubblica, he also said Italy is ready to commit its forces to such a mission.

There have been proposals to send a peacekeeping force to the separation line between Ukraine and Russia after a future ceasefire. Some politicians, including French President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly discussed details of such a potential mission, which could include 40,000 European troops. According to some news reports, the incoming US administration of President-elect Donald Trump is considering a force of 200,000 troops from European countries.