UN top court orders Russia to cease military operations in Ukraine

On Wednesday, the United Nations’ top court ordered Russia to cease its military operations in Ukraine immediately.

In an interim judgment, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Ukraine “has a plausible right not to be subjected to military operations by the Russian Federation to prevent and punish an alleged genocide.”

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“The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on February 24, 2022, on the territory of Ukraine,” judges said in a 13-2 decision mentioning that the tribunal is “profoundly concerned” by Moscow’s use of force.

Russia’s Kirill Gevorgian and China’s Xue Hanqin voted against the ruling.

Worries about use of force

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the ruling and tweeted, “The (ICJ) order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further.”

While reading out the ruling, presiding judge Joan Donoghue said the court was “profoundly concerned about the use of force by the Russian Federation in Ukraine which raises very serious issues of international law.”

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Moreover, the court also mentioned that Russia’s operation “has resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries, it has also caused significant material damage including the destruction of buildings and infrastructure.”

The ruling comes as Ukraine, and Russia diplomatic talks showed some signs of development as Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday said a proposal for Ukraine to become a neutral country but retain its own armed forces “could be viewed as a certain kind of compromise.”

Accusations and dispute settlement

Kyiv filed a case at the ICJ shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, demanding a tribunal order to end the offence and cease military activities.

Ukraine accused Russia of falsely trying to justify its invasion under an international convention through a faulty interpretation of the UN genocide treaty.

Russia counter-alleged that Ukraine engaged in genocide in the regions held by pro-Russian separatists.

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Moscow also declined to turn up to a hearing at the UN court on March 7 and later filed a written document arguing that the court should not impose any measures.

The ICJ was set up after World War II to settle disputes between UN member states over issues on international law, and the countries cannot appeal the tribunal’s rulings.

Although the ICJ doesn’t have the means to enforce them, it has the power to refer the issue to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) if Russia doesn’t abide by the order.