As the world turns its attention to Ukraine, the important but often neglected issue of Orthodox Christian geopolitics has received renewed interest from Western media.

That Russia’s invasion should have come as a surprise attack largely derives from the idealistic excess of the democratic peace theory.

Whatever Putin’s eventual demise, we will gratefully pray, Thy will be done.

Jus post bellum justice provides us with two criteria: holding aggressors responsible (punishment) and providing some form of restoration to victims (restitution). The reality of our time suggests a very limited justice.

Does the Catholic Church still believe in the doctrine of just war? Last week, Pope Francis told Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, “At one time we also spoke in our churches of holy war or just war. Today we cannot speak like that.”

Shame on us if we do not act to deter what amount to escalating war crimes by Russia in Ukraine.