Abstract

After justifying his full agreement with the ethical-political positions on the conflict in Ukraine taken in the GIP editorials by Roberto Cubelli (2021, 2022), the author offers some reflections on this war. Which is «old» for the destruction, deaths and horrors which it presents, and «new» for the character of world event that both the direct commitment of the invading country, which is the strongest nuclear power on the planet, and the economic-political support and the supply of war material offered by the USA, NATO and the EU to the invaded country confer on it. It is also new because of the central role assumed by communication, especially through social media. An analysis is conducted on these, highlighting their characteristics and their use, especially on the Ukrainian side, in shaping public opinion and organising military operations on the field. Paying attention to the differences in communication, the images of the two opposing leaders and the influence they exerted within their country and in the international arena are noted. In particular, an analysis is also conducted on the change in attitudes recorded in Italy with regard to the Ukrainian events, placing them in relation to the individualisation» process that has taken place over the last three decades and the problems of social participation present in our democracies today.