Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.46672/po-mest.28.1-2.4
The Perspective of Neutrality: Legal and Political Challenges After the Russian Aggression Against Ukraine in 2022
Marin Jašić
orcid.org/0009-0007-3933-8534
; Fakultet političkih znanosti Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Sažetak
The traditional concept of neutrality is based on non-participation in armed conflicts and the obligation of impartiality toward all warring parties. However, contemporary international relations increasingly challenge this definition, particularly in situations where one party is clearly identified as an aggressor and its actions constitute a blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law. In this context, the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022 has sparked debates about the sustainability of neutrality and the limits of its application, particularly concerning the justification for providing military and humanitarian aid to the attacked state. The key research question of this paper concerns the possibility of maintaining neutrality under such circumstances and how states that provide assistance to Ukraine align their actions with the principles of neutrality and collective self-defense.
Traditional neutrality, defined by strict impartiality and non-involvement, faces challenges in contemporary conflicts as many states grapple with the dilemma between maintaining a formal neutral status and fulfilling their international and moral obligations toward the victim of aggression. The analysis indicates that such situations have led to a reinterpretation of the concept of neutrality, with some states adopting so-called qualified neutrality. Instead of complete abstention from any intervention, they implement specific measures, such as imposing economic sanctions, politically isolating the aggressor, and providing humanitarian aid to the attacked party. This approach represents a departure from the previous principle of strict impartiality and equal treatment of all belligerent parties. Qualified neutrality allows states to respond to aggression without direct military involvement, yet it simultaneously raises the question of how such an approach aligns with fundamental rules of international law. Neutrality can still play a significant role in international relations, especially for states seeking to avoid engagement in armed conflicts and preserve their security through non-alignment. However, its sustainability increasingly depends on the ability to adapt to contemporary security challenges and balance the protection of the victim of aggression with adherence to fundamental principles of international law. The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that traditionally neutral states, such as Switzerland, Austria, and Ireland, are gradually redefining their approach to respond to new international circumstances. Changes in the perception of neutrality reflect broader transformations in international relations, where a rigid interpretation of non-involvement is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain in the face of clear violations of international law. Qualified neutrality represents an attempt to balance responsibility toward the international community with the preservation of national security, while simultaneously opening a debate on the limits of neutrality and its future in global crises. This paper contributes to this discussion by analyzing the legal and political challenges faced by neutral states and exploring the possibilities for adapting neutrality in contemporary armed conflicts.
Ključne riječi
neutrality, international law, qualified neutrality, collective self-defense, war, Ukraine, Russia
Hrčak ID:
341860
URI
Datum izdavanja:
19.12.2025.
Posjeta: 735 *