Discourse ethics, territorial integrity, and state border inviolability: relevance of unifying dignity and morality

The influence of the Pax Americana system, which has underpinned international stability for eight decades, is in gradual decline. This occurs amid a resurgence of neocolonial practices and increasing disregard for the rules-based international order, driven by kinetic warfare and manipulative rhetoric targeting the principles of territorial integrity and state border inviolability. The emergence of complex digital and cyber threats further destabilizes this domain of international and human security. The Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine since 2014, coupled with the perceived indecisiveness of democratic states in defending international norms, poses significant challenges to the steadiness of the concepts of territorial integrity and state border inviolability. Findings indicate that, beginning in 2022, Europe has responded to challenges by enhancing its security measures and reaffirming commitment to core democratic values. Moreover, within the scope of territorial sovereignty and prohibition of use of force, the societies in the Baltic Sea Region states are critical towards both pseudo-messianic narratives (case of Vladimir Putin 5.0) and ‘a good deal’ geopolitics (case of Donald Trump 2.0). The presentation reaffirms that, in today's circumstances, respect for territorial sovereignty is fundamental to the international legal order. Public and diplomatic communication must uphold this principle. Finally, the analysis underscores the continued relevance of European humanitarian tradition and values-based ethics in discussions concerning national identity and territorial integrity.