Lessons of Ukraine for the Role of Values in Foreign Policy

As the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, the war has concentrated minds and raised questions in many policy areas: geopolitics and Russian imperial ambitions; defense policy and military assistance; energy and the economy; European security and its implications for transatlantic relations. The war already marks a turning point in the conversation in all these areas.  

The war has also opened up an important conversation on another front: what role values should play in US foreign policy. Russia's blatant act of aggression against its neighbor as well as its willingness to strike civilian targets indiscriminately have shocked consciences and raised questions anew about injustice and immorality in foreign affairs and the conduct of foreign policy.

Ukrainians have been willing to fight determinedly to preserve their independence—and the United States and our allies have been willing to assist them. It seems to have mattered to many that Russia was behaving not only dangerously, but also wrongly or immorally.

Some have sought to detach moral considerations from the conduct of US foreign policy on the grounds that they are a distraction from the pursuit of national interest. For a contrary view, please join as a distinguished panel examines the question in light of the war in Ukraine.