Is There a "Right" Way to Talk About Russia-Ukraine?

In the age of cancel culture no one should get stomped out for what they say on a political issue, such as Russia-Ukraine. Additionally, Russia-Ukraine situation is high stakes situation, and the longer the conflict continues, the more that people around the world feel its impact. This reality makes it more important to listen to people from all walks of life. But with lives on the line, and no definitive solution in sight, the world needs constructive dialogue. There are examples of people on all sides of the issue providing comments that detract from their valid positions. While no one should have their views censored, leaders should reflect more about how they express their ideas. Doing so will help produce the best resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The next day, the site Responsible Statecraft released a thoughtful piece titled “Why Elon Musk is right”, which provided a policy analysis on the benefits of the solution Musk discussed. Even if someone disagreed with the piece, hopefully they found it something they could engage with and consider.

Another example came when President Joe Biden gave a speech discussing how the world is on the brink of nuclear Armageddon. Many agree with that point. But then Biden’s administration through the Department of Defense walked back his statement and claimed that there was no evidence that Putin would use nuclear weapons. Since then, many policy analysts have debated the likelihood of a nuclear war. It is just about impossible to quantify, but people should be able to acknowledge that a nuclear war could happen and how that should impact the policies all relevant powers pursue. Rather than engaging in double talk around it.

Tucker Carlson demonstrated a rather heartless way to discuss the war, when he said that he was rooting for the Russians. While everyone is free to their own opinions, there is a huge difference between pushing for the US not to get involved and supporting Russia in the war. Russian forces have indiscriminately killed civilians, raped women, and are forcing their own people to senselessly die. Carlson later claimed he was joking, but when Carlson makes a comment like that, it feeds the idea that those who do not want the US to risk the detriments of involvement are nothing but Putin sympathizers, who want his style of fascism. 

Similarly, many of the supporters of Ukraine have spoken rather dismissively about the impact elections could have on Ukraine policy. In the US, the left has complained that if Americans support the wrong party next week, they will doom Ukraine. In Germany, the Foreign Minister said that she would support Ukraine, “no matter what my German voters think.” Comments like these make some believe that the global elite are just pulling all the strings, without the people’s consent. Even if a politician feels it is necessary to go against their constituent wishes on this issue, they should show they still value all voters’ perspective on this issue. 

The global community will need to make some tough decisions regarding Ukraine and Russia. Every decision could cost lives, and in the meantime innocent people die every day. No one should see their viewpoint censored but the leaders around the world owe it to everyone to conduct the debate in a thoughtful and empathetic manner.

Todd Carney is an international lawyer and a frequent writer on international issues. He earned his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School.