The International Court of Justice has ordered Russia to end military violence in Ukraine immediately. The United Nations’ highest court on Wednesday in The Hague upheld Ukraine’s lawsuit against Russia. Russia itself stayed away from the reading of the decision in the Peace Palace. Court President Joan Donoghue said the violence must end immediately. This operation resulted in countless deaths and injuries.
The court’s decision is the first ruling by an international court since the invasion of Russia nearly three weeks ago. Ukraine had initiated the emergency procedure and called for immediate action against Russia. The court upheld the lawsuit.
The judgment is binding. But experts doubt that Moscow will comply with an order. Russia had already boycotted the hearing on March 7th. The court has no power to compel a defeated state to implement a judgment. However, the verdict can have an international signal effect and increase the pressure on Moscow.
The lawsuit is based on the 1948 Genocide Convention. Ukraine accuses Russia of abusing the convention to justify the war. President Vladimir Putin had said that Russians in eastern Ukraine must be protected from genocide – but had not presented any evidence.
It’s only a temporary decision. Basically, a decision is only made after the main proceedings, which can take years.