Principled pragmatism in the shadow of war: ethical realism and the Russo−Ukrainian war

Purpose This paper aims to examine the ethical fault lines of contemporary warfare through a critical engagement with Kantian moral universalism and Machiavellian political realism, using the Russo−Ukrainian war as a focal point for normative analysis. It addresses the moral crisis in the international order, where strategic imperatives increasingly overshadow commitments to human rights, legal restraint and ethical norms. Design/methodology/approach This study develops the concept of principled pragmatism – a normative framework that navigates the tension between moral obligation and political necessity without collapsing into either moral absolutism or strategic amorality. Drawing on pragmatist ethics, just war theory and historical case analysis, the approach integrates philosophical inquiry with empirical examination of the Russo−Ukrainian war. Findings This research demonstrates that principled pragmatism, informed by historical awareness and contextual sensitivity, can reconcile ethical accountability with realist security imperatives. It argues that such a framework is both normatively defensible and institutionally viable in a fragmented and competitive international environment. Originality/value By synthesizing Kantian and Machiavellian traditions within a pragmatic ethical lens, this paper reframes the Russo−Ukrainian war not merely as a geopolitical rupture but as a critical juncture for restoring the moral architecture of international politics. It offers a recalibrated vision of the global order built on legal enforceability, inclusive multilateralism and moral responsibility.