Ukraine’s President on Sunday approached the International Court of Justice against Russia to hold Russia accountable for its actions. President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that Russia must be accountable for “manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week”.

In the ongoing war, Russia’s military invade Kharkiv, the second-largest city of Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has declined Russia’s offer of talks in Belarus, accusing Belarus of cooperation in Russia’s anti-Ukraine activity. Zelensky stated that he is also open to discussions, but not in Belarus. He suggested Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul, and Baku as alternative locations for negotiations.

What is International Court of Justice?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.

The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York (United States of America).

The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. It is assisted by a Registry, its administrative organ. Its official languages are English and French.