Is this a Just War?

Organised by

• Academic Service
• Department of Law
• Ukraine

Abstract

For centuries, war has been a topic of scholarly attention. Why are we fighting, how should we fight, and what are we fighting for are the questions that need answering during any conflict. With Ukraine fighting for its survival, Russia manipulating the memory of the Great Patriotic War to justify its invasion, and the EU financing weapon purchases for a third country, these academic debates have now gained urgent relevance.

In this panel, we will discuss how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed our perception of war. We will analyse how the scholarly debates on the historical memory of war and the ethics of war relate to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. What will be the consequences of this invasion for our views on war and warfare? Can warfare be ethical? And is this a just war? The Ukraine Month Initiative invites you to reflect on what theory can teach us about the ongoing conflict.