THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: AN INTRACTABLE CHALLENGE TO THE CONCEPT OF A GLOBAL SOCIETY AND LIBERAL ETHICS

It is now over a year since Russian launched its so-called special military operation against Ukraine. Several states, as well as the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Nations, and other International Organizations condemned the war from inception. At the same time, there other states that have opted to remain neutral. Regardless, the initial general belief that this conflict would not degenerate into a long drawn -out war has waned in the face of escalation and increasing involvement of NATO, thus raising fears of an outbreak of a Third World War (WWIII). This article conceptually examines the challenges that the Russia-Ukraine war poses to the prospect of a global society and ethics of liberalism in international relations. In so doing, it unravels glaring limitations and questions on both counts. Ultimately, it advances the argument that vital states interests, competition for power and security in an anarchic international system still hold great sway in international relations. As such, liberalism ethics that has fueled the concept of a global society are altogether proven to be untenable in the midst power politics power politics and nationalism that continues to characterize the international system.