Foreign Ministry sets deadline for court decision in Ukraine v. Russia case in The Hague

The verdict of the International Court of Justice in the Ukraine vs Russia case may become the first among a number of rulings that will recognise Russia's violations of international law.

Source: Anton Korynevych, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Agent of Ukraine at the UN Court of Justice, in an interview with Ukrainian Radio

Details: He said that it traditionally takes about six months or so from the date of the conclusion of the formal hearing on the merits to the day when the decision is announced.

"We would all like the cases to be heard sooner, but this is the pace of international justice. The wheels of justice are not turning very fast, but they are turning," Korynevych said.

The diplomat added that it was too early to say when the court's decision would be made, as Ukraine has no influence on the course of its internal work.

Korynevych noted that the decision of the International Court of Justice will be binding on both parties.

Quote: "The decision is significant for us, first of all, because it will be a statement by the International Court of Justice that Russia has violated two international conventions. This is essential as we definitely need to have rulings from international judicial institutions that record violations by the Russian Federation. Moreover, this decision should record the obligation of the Russian Federation to cease the relevant violations and state that this decision is the basis for resolving the issue of compensation and reparations, in particular, to the victims of such violations. Compensation and reparations are traditionally set at a separate court hearing. Although, of course, we can't know what the court's verdict will be," the ambassador explained.

Background: On 6 June, the International Court of Justice in The Hague started proceedings on the merits of Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia over the latter's violation of two UN conventions. The case in question is the Application of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

This is the first of Ukraine's actions against Russia in international courts to reach the level of consideration on the merits.

The hearing, which involves two rounds of presentations of the parties' arguments, is the last stage before a decision is made.

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