Forum: The Russia–Ukraine War and Reactions from the Global South

Abstract

Abstract The war between Russia and Ukraine has been a topic of interest for scholars and policymakers worldwide. Western countries have condemned and imposed sanctions on Russia, while countries in the Global South have taken varying positions. In this Forum, we will analyse the origins of the war and the responses to it of key countries in the Global South, including China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Iran. The war has multiple causes, and identifying them has implications for understanding what is necessary to regain peace. However, reaching a consensus on its causes will not be easy. Great and middle powers in the Global South have refused to condemn Russia’s aggression, at the same time claiming to uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their positions are shaped by different perspectives and trade-offs between instrumental calculations and normative considerations. The war in Ukraine has brought the issue of global order to the forefront of world politics. It raises the questions of whether the structure of the international system is shifting towards a post-Western order or whether the conflict has strengthened Western domination. Furthermore, countries in the Global South question the legitimacy of certain aspects of the Western-dominated order. By examining the perspectives of the Global South, this Forum may contribute to discussions on the Russia–Ukraine war and the role of the Global South in the shifting global order.