Russia-Ukraine War Debate

May 12, 2022

Be it resolved, ending the world’s worst geopolitical crisis in a generation starts with acknowledging Russia’s security interests.

By any measure, the Russian invasion of Ukraine represents a profound security risk for the world. It raises fundamental issues about the basic principles that underwrite the current international order and it threatens the specter of an entrenched, high-risk Great Power conflict. How is this fast-evolving crisis best addressed?

Does it demand a resolute and relentless push by the West to punish, isolate and degrade Putin’s Russia economically, politically and militarily? Or is a solution to be found in acknowledging Russia’s security needs and finding ways to mutually de-escalate the war, sooner not later? Which of these different strategies stand the best chance of success? And how ultimately is this conflict best resolved?

Janice Gross Stein, the Founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, moderated the panel discussion portion of the debate.

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Results

Pre-debate

53% 47%

Post-debate

37% 63%

Swing: -16% (Con team win)