ICJ Rules Russia Violated International Treaties in Ukraine Conflict

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found Russia guilty of violating two international treaties in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. The court ruled that Russia had infringed treaties on fighting terrorism and discrimination while rejecting other claims and declining to order compensation requested by Ukraine. The cases stem from the 2014 conflict in Ukraine, and although the court did not specifically address allegations of Russia’s involvement in downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, it found that Russia had violated the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the 1969 International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The ICJ ordered Russia to investigate plausible allegations of terrorism funding in Ukraine and deemed the limitation of school classes in the Ukrainian language in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, as a violation of the discrimination convention. The ruling has significant implications for international law and highlights Russia’s disregard for previous ICJ orders and its violation of international treaties.