It has so far generated a unified and vigorous response from Western democracies, many of which have been suffering significant dysfunction and persistent authoritarian threats for more than a decade. Regardless of what follows, Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine has already generated one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in Europe since World War II.Īt the same time, there is considerable evidence that Putin’s attack on international norms could ultimately strengthen the liberal world order. Would Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack inspire similar aggressions by other authoritarian powers against vulnerable democratic neighbors? Would China seize the moment to move against Taiwan? Would we descend into a period of expansionist authoritarian rule? Such scenarios could still come to pass.
Many worried not simply about Ukraine but about the security of Europe. Whether the invasion marks a turning point for the liberal world order will depend in part on whether the world’s democrats can maintain solidarity through the crisis.Īs Russian rockets bombarded Kyiv on the night of Thursday, February 24, the world appeared to be on the cusp of a dark era.
The Russian invasion may also weaken the emerging “authoritarian international” as the conflict has proved far more difficult and costly to Russia than expected. This vigorous and unified response from Western democracies contrasts their muted replies to the past decade of democratic malaise, which was characterized by serious-though slow and surreptitious-authoritarian attacks. Galvanized by a sense of common threat and existential peril, Western democracies have imposed biting sanctions on Russia, boosted weapons and aid shipments to Ukraine, and increased military spending dramatically. Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has given the world’s democrats a renewed sense of unity and purpose.
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