The US welcomed Wednesday’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) order ordering Russia to immediately cease military operations in Ukraine. A judge in India voted against Russia, while a judge in China voted against the order. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price described the ruling as significant, noting that the ICJ “clearly and unequivocally” ordered Russia to immediately suspend military operations.
“The Russian Federation shall immediately cease military operations on the territory of Ukraine that began on 24 February,” presiding judge Joan Donoghue told the International Court of Justice, pending the case’s final resolution.
Indian Judge at ICJ
Justice Dalveer Bhandari of India voted against Russia. Thirteen judges voted in favor of the court order, while two voted against it. This includes Russian Vice-President Kirill Gevorgian and Chinese Judge Xue Hanqin. “We applaud the court order and urge the Russian Federation to adhere to it by immediately ceasing military operations in Ukraine and establishing unhindered humanitarian access,” Price said.
The court — which is critical for the peaceful resolution of disputes under the UN Charter — emphasized in its ruling the importance of States acting in accordance with their obligations under international law, including the laws of war, Price said.
“And the ICJ expressed grave concern about Ukraine’s civilian population’s extreme vulnerability, the numerous civilian deaths and injuries caused by the Kremlin’s actions, and the substantial material damage, including the destruction of buildings and infrastructure,” he added.
Additionally, the Court expressed grave concern about the Russian government’s use of force and underscored the Court’s acute awareness of “the magnitude of the human tragedy unfolding in Ukraine,” as well as the “continuing loss of life and human suffering.”
Additionally, the ICJ noted that it lacked evidence substantiating Russia’s claims that Ukraine committed genocide in the Donbas region, he said. China’s Judge Xue Hanqin objected to the order.
Ukraine’s argument that the Russian Federation’s allegation of genocide against Ukraine is mere “an excuse for Russia’s unlawful aggression” casts doubt on the validity of this case of genocide, she wrote in her dissent note.
“It appears that the acts complained of by Ukraine, namely Russia’s recognition of the independence of Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions and Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, cannot be addressed directly through the interpretation and application of the Genocide Convention’s provisions, as the issues raised concern international law’s recognition and use of force,” she said. Moody’s stated in its February 24 global macroeconomic outlook, the day Russia began military operations in Ukraine, that India was on the verge of normalcy but was less optimistic about the global economy’s prospects.