Russian Invasion: Ukraine Approaches International Court of Justice

Kyiv: Ukraine has approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) urging it to hold Russia accountable for ‘brutal’ military operations.

“Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week,” President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted on Sunday.

The ICJ, under the United Nations, has the jurisdiction to hear any dispute between Ukraine and Russia.

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Russia’s Ukraine invasion directly conflicts with the UN Charter, the agreement which guides UN and its 193 member states.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered the fourth day, Vladimir Putin’s troops entered Kharkiv, the second-largest city of the eastern European country.

Despite Ukraine’s army and civilians suffering losses, Zelensky has been putting up a brave front and inspiring a spirited fight. The President turned down Russia’s offer for talks in Belarus as he feels it’s not neutral territory. He suggested alternative venues for talks like Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul or Baku.