Over 40 countries support Ukraine's case against Russia at ICJ, call for end to war

European Union has said that more than 40 countries have supported Ukraine's application before International Court of Justice against Russia. countries have emphasized importance of proceedings against Russia and called on Moscow to immediately end military offensive in Ukraine. nations have recalled order issued by court on March 16 that called for Moscow to end war in Ukraine. 

"We reiterate importance of se proceedings and urge, again, Russia to immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine, as ordered by Court in its Order on Provisional Measures of 16 March 2022," nations said in a statement. 

In statement released by European Union, 40 nations have affirmed support for Ukraine's application against Russia before International Court of Justice under 1948 Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crime of Genocide. nations who have supported Ukraine's application include UK, Cana, US, Germany, France, Greece, Australia, Nerlands, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Albania, North Macedonia, Norway, Andorra, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cana, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. It is worth mentioning that Ukraine on 26 February, just two days after Russia's offensive, filed a lawsuit against Russia in International Court of Justice. 

Nations assert Russia must be held accountable 

application filed by Ukraine calls for establishing that Russia has no legal basis to launch an offensive in Ukraine based on "unsubstantiated allegations" of genocide. According to statement, nations including US, and members of EU have asserted that Russia needs to be held accountable for its actions which y consider a violation of international law. nations have furr ded that "losses and damage suffered by Ukraine as a result of Russia's violations of international law require full and urgent reparation by Russia." Furrmore, y have urged international community to consider all options to support Ukraine in its proceedings before International Court of Justice. 

Russia-Ukraine War 

It is pertinent to mention here that war between Russia and Ukraine which began on 24 February continues for more than four months. Since n, hostilities between two warring nations have led to deaths and destruction in Ukraine. According to UNHCR, more than 9,152,690 people have left Ukraine and moved to or nations since onset of military conflict. Earlier in April, Ukrainian authorities revealed tragedies inflicted by Russian forces after troops of Moscow started withdrawing from Bucha and or parts of Kyiv. International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan, who visited Bucha in April called Ukraine "a crime scene". In latest update, Ukrainian forces have claimed that Russia has lost around 37,870 soldiers since February 24. 

Image: AP