Open Journal of Philosophy, 2023, 13, 407-417 https://www.scirp.org/journal/ojpp ISSN Online: 2163-9442 ISSN Print: 2163-9434 DOI: 10.4236/ojpp.2023.132027 May 29, 2023 407 Open Journal of Philosophy Can War Be Just? A Case Analysis Attempt on the Russia–Ukraine War Sine Ira Et Studio Gábor Dániel Nagy Department of Social Studies, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary Abstract The current confrontation between Russia and Ukraine raises essential prob- lems regarding ethics and laws of war. It also presents an opportunity to compose an ethics case study to analyze the idea of a just war. The present- day war of Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine can hardly be analyzed ethi- cally. We lean back to the seminal ideas of just war theorists to argue that war must be waged in a manner that is consistent with moral and ethical prin- ciples, such as proportionality, discrimination, and respect for the rights of non-combatants. This article emphasizes the relationship between war and politics, and the belief that military forces should be used rationally and cal- culatedly. Wars have influenced the development of the modern world histo- ry. The fall of the Soviet Union led to 30 years of peace; however, the ideas of its creators returned to contemporary Russian thinking. We attempt to draw conclusions based on the past to enable conflict to end peacefully and a bal- ance to be restored. Keywords Just War, Jus Ad Bellum, Jus in Bello, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, USA, MAD 1. Introduction Whether there is such a thing as a just war is a difficult and contentious matter that has been discussed at length by philosophers, political leaders, and military strategists for millennia. The current confrontation between Russia and Ukraine poses important problems about ethics and the law of war, and it also presents a useful case study for analyzing the idea of a just war. War theory argues that war can be justified under certain conditions, such as when it is necessary to defend oneself or others against aggression or prevent greater harm. In general, just war theory argues that war can be justified in cer- How to cite this paper: Nagy, G. D. (2023). Can War Be Just? A Case Analysis Attempt on the Russia–Ukraine War Sine Ira Et Studio. Open Journal of Philosophy, 13, 407-417. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpp.2023.132027 Received: February 24, 2023 Accepted: May 26, 2023 Published: May 29, 2023 Copyright © 2023 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access