Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “criminal attack.” Buterin suggests that governance models emerging in the blockchain world have the potential to transform Russia’s political structure. His statements came to the fore on February 24, 2026, as the fourth anniversary of the occupation approached.
Buterin’s Support for Ukraine and Condemnation of the Attack
Buterin, who is of Russian descent and a Canadian citizen, emphasized that the conflict is not morally ambiguous. He stated that Russia’s military actions against Ukraine could not be justified in any way. While Buterin, on the one hand, pointed out that Ukraine has shown significant developments in the institutional field in the last decade, on the other hand, he stated that the pressure and military actions in Russia have increased.
Referring to the gap between these two countries, Buterin noted that Ukraine needs humanitarian aid and strengthening its defense:
Ukraine needs international support to continue defending itself and protecting civilian areas and infrastructure.
He also criticized the rhetoric in Western countries that tries to alleviate responsibility for the conflict through Russia. He stated that Moscow’s current administration sees no incentive to approach peace. Buterin stated that, therefore, continuing military and economic pressure may be the only way to make negotiations possible.
Political Reform Proposal with Crypto Governance Models
Drawing on his experiences in Ethereum and Blockchain technology in general, Buterin suggests that a long-term political reform in Russia is possible with structures open to decentralized government, gradual voting system and digital democracy. He emphasizes that such mechanisms aim to spread decision-making power to a broad base and strengthen social participation.
He argues that a country should develop a strong governance structure when its goal is to improve human life, and a weak and uncoordinated governance structure when it is to suppress minorities or attack its neighbors.
Buterin argued that decentralization is not an abstract idea, but can be implemented in real terms in political transition processes. Citing digital participation tools such as pol.is as an example, he said that the public’s priorities can be determined collectively and policies can be directed.
These statements come after recent access blocks to crypto news sites in Russia.
Emphasis on Future Transformation and Political Renewal
Beyond focusing solely on the current conflict, Buterin believes that European and Ukrainian security requires a fundamental transformation in Russia. In his vision, it is argued that the risk of military conflict will decrease if the country adopts a management approach that prioritizes welfare and public interest.
He highlights the need for new leadership and fresh ideas in Russia’s political opposition for this transformation. Sharing his experiences, Buterin points out that long-established systems can only be overcome with new strategies, experiments and participatory solutions.
He proposes a two-stage road map: First, he evaluates that Ukraine should be supported with all kinds of aid, and then the middle-of-the-road and reform-friendly segments in Russia should be strengthened.
Buterin’s approach shows that digital governance models increasingly intersect with international politics. It is reported that blockchain-focused methods have not yet been tested in large-scale national administration, but such innovative models may play an important role in the future.
