L'incanto morale della guerra fino in fondo

This article examines the challenges in diplomatically resolving the year-and-a- half-long Ukrainian war, highlighting factors hindering a solution. The tendency towards extremity in warfare, the survival dependence of Ukrainian and Russian leadership on the war’s outcome, and the presence of civil war elements compli- cate the situation. The absence of credible mediators, limitations of international organizations, and geopolitical interests further contribute to the complexity. The article argues that traditional actors face challenges redefining their roles, sustain- ing support for Ukraine despite reservations. The lack of genuine debate and the threat of labels like «Putinism» complicate matters. It also contrasts the contempo- rary moralization of war with Clausewitzian views, emphasizing the shift towards perceiving war as a grand-scale moral and legal instrument. Examining the trans- formation in the relationship between war and politics, the article highlights the difficulty in conceiving wars ending with anything less than the complete defeat of the enemy, perpetuating a cycle of punitive actions. It also underscores reduced human costs in Western democracies due to professionalized armies and outsourced military functions. In conclusion, the article reflects on the implications of moral- izing war in the Ukrainian conflict, raising concerns about its sustainability and impact on post-conflict reconciliation and diplomatic relations.