The UN’s highest court has ordered Russia to cease its military operations in Ukraine, with the justices noting that they were “profoundly concerned” by Moscow's unprovoked invasion of its neighbor last month.
The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) said in a ruling on March 16 that justices voted 13-2 in favor of the order, which stems from a case filed by Kyiv over Russian allegations of genocide by Ukraine, which Moscow used as one of the pretenses to launch the invasion on February 24.
"The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is taking place in Ukraine (...). The court is profoundly concerned about the use of force by the Russian Federation in Ukraine which raises very serious issues of international law," Judge Joan Donoghue said in reading out the ruling at the court.
The ICJ justices also ruled by a 13-2 vote that Moscow must ensure that “any military or irregular armed units which may be directed or supported by it, as well as any organizations and persons which may be subject to its control or direction, take no steps in furtherance of the military operations referred to in point.”
Both rulings were ordered pending a final decision in the case.
The court also said both parties must "refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve."
The ICJ resolves legal complaints submitted by states over alleged breaches of international law. It is the supreme judicial institution of the United Nations.
While its decisions are binding, Moscow is unlikely to heed the court’s decision.
Russia boycotted the hearing on the case earlier this month and argued in a written filing that the court doesn’t have jurisdiction. It also said it was acting in self-defense with the invasion.
