Russia refuses to appear before International Court of Justice over attack on Ukraine

Russia refused to appear on Monday at the start of hearings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), within a request launched by Ukraine, which asks the UN court to order Moscow to end its invasion.

Russia’s absence was criticized by the presiding judge of the court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, and by the Ukrainian delegation.

The ICJ “regrets that Russia did not appear” at the beginning of the oral process, said Joan Donoghue, who presides over the court, indicating that the absence of the Russian ambassador in the Netherlands had been notified.

“The fact that the seats Russia was supposed to occupy are empty says a lot”, said Anton Korynevich, a member of the Ukrainian delegation.

Ukraine filed an injunction with the ICJ against Moscow on February 26, two days after the start of the military offensive.

Kiev asks the most important UN court for urgent measures to order Russia to end its invasion, before ruling on the merits of the issue, something that could take years.

The ICJ has the “responsibility to act. Someone has to stop RussiaKorynevich said.

In front of the court, dozens of Ukrainians gathered, shouting “Stop Putin, stop war” and “stop genocide”.

“Lay down your weapons”

In the speech announcing his armed intervention against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he wanted to defend the Russian-speaking population from genocide by Kiev.

An absurd and grotesque lie, according to Ukraine, which categorically denies the existence of such an event and considers that the Russian invasion has no legal basis. “Putin lies and the Ukrainians, our compatriots, dieKorynevich said.

“Russia’s lie is even more offensive and ironic because it seems that Russia is planning acts of genocide in Ukraine”, declared Kiev in its request.

The ICJ was founded in 1946 to settle disputes between states. Its rulings are binding and without appeal, but the court has no way of enforcing them.

The main legal body of the UN bases its conclusions mainly on treaties and conventions.

“Let’s settle our disagreement as civilized nations.” Korynevich insisted, before heading directly to Moscow: “Lay down your weapons and present your evidence”.

Ukraine asked the ICJ to act to protect the Ukrainian population.

“Our destiny is in your hands”, concluded Oksana Zolotaryova, a member of the Ukrainian delegation.

Also in The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC), which tries individuals accused of the world’s worst atrocities, opened an investigation last week into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.