In The Hague, the United Nations International Court of Justice begins a new round of hearings on September 18 to examine Ukraine’s February 2022 lawsuit against Russia. The case accuses Russia of violations of the genocide convention in connection with the special military operation in Ukraine. This development was reported by RIA News.
The hearings, scheduled to run through September 27, are focused on preliminary objections raised by Moscow. The court will hear arguments on these procedural questions over the course of the nine-day session.
On September 18, Russian representatives will present their position, followed by Ukrainian officials on September 19. The court has also allocated time for participants from several allied states. Beginning September 20, the proceedings will include input from Germany, Australia, Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Bulgaria, along with Canada and the Netherlands, as permitted under the court’s rules for participation in this case.
The timeline recalls that after Russia launched the operation on February 24, 2022, Ukraine brought the matter before the International Court of Justice. The court’s decision issued on March 16, 2022 called for an immediate suspension of the military operation in Ukrainian territory, a step Ukraine viewed as essential in addressing the allegations before the tribunal.
In October 2022, Russia submitted preliminary objections to the court’s jurisdiction as well as to the admissibility of Ukraine’s claims. The dialogue surrounding these issues has continued in the ensuing sessions, reflecting the contested nature of jurisdiction and admissibility within the framework of the genocide convention case.
During the hearings in June, a representative for Russia, Alexander Shulgin, stated that Moscow seeks a full rejection of Ukraine’s allegations connected to the alleged financing of terrorism and related violations. This stance underscores Russia’s position in the ongoing dispute and its strategy in presenting its case before the ICJ.
The proceedings thus unfold against a backdrop of ongoing negotiations and diplomatic engagement between Kyiv and Moscow as part of broader efforts to resolve the conflict and address international legal responsibilities. The court’s rulings and the arguments presented during this session will be watched closely by governments and international observers alike, given the potential implications for international law and regional security.