Russia rejects ICJ's ruling on Ukraine plea to halt war

<p>Members of pro-Russian separatists are seen in the pro-Russian separatists-controlled Donetsk, Ukraine on March 11, 2022.</p>

Members of pro-Russian separatists are seen in the pro-Russian separatists-controlled Donetsk, Ukraine on March 11, 2022.

MOSCOW – Russia cannot take into consideration the ruling by the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ), directing Moscow to stop the war in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

The court must have the consent of the parties to make such a decision, and in this case, "there can be no consent," Peskov said at a daily briefing in Moscow.

"No, we will not be able to take this decision into account. The International Court of Justice must have such a thing as the consent of the parties. There can be no consent here," the spokesman said.

On Wednesday, the ICJ announced its decision in response to Ukraine's application, demanding Russia to halt the war in Ukraine.

The ruling of the top UN court in The Hague was upheld by a vote of 13 to two.

Russia boycotted hearings on the Ukraine case, which sought an emergency order to halt hostilities in the country, with Kyiv arguing that Moscow falsely invoked genocide laws to justify beginning the war.

The ICJ was founded by the UN Charter in June 1945 as the primary judicial institution of the UN. It began operations in April 1946.

The court is made up of 15 justices who are elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council for a nine-year term. (Anadolu)

Comments