Is peace an ethical obligation? A discussion on the example of the Russo-Ukrainian war

Abstract

This text discusses the claim that peace is an ethical obligation. It advocates for replacing the centuries-old model of a just war with that of a just peace, as adopted, for example, by the UN Charter or the Evangelical Church in Germany. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine puts this maxim along with any pacifist position to a severe test. While some declare non-violence obsolete in the face of this war, others remain firm in their belief in just peace as the guiding principle. These controversial debates illustratively demonstrate that all parties face ethical dilemmas that cannot be resolved and that require a constant reevaluation of what is right or wrong in every specific situation.