Volodymyr Zelenskiy: Too many of those who say the Ukraine war is about international law, territorial integrity, war crimes, freedom and democracy portray the necessary talk of territorial concessions and security guarantees to end it as betrayal. If we have reached the Ukraine war’s endgame we need help to interpret what has been happening and what is now taking its course. Three narratives about the war based on moral convictions say it is about international law and territorial integrity; war crimes and genocide; freedom and democracy. “Ukraine must not lose the war, and Russia must not win it” sums up the better European pragmatic consequentialist approach. Ukraine has secured its sovereignty and path to the EU, Russia many of its war aims.

Source: The Irish Times December 07, 2025 10:52 UTC