US Calls On Russia To Comply With ICJ Ruling On Ukraine
Washington, March 17: The United States has urged Russia to comply with the International Court of Justice’s (CJ) ruling that called for an end to its military operation in Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. Earlier on Wednesday, the ICJ voted 13-2 in favor of a ruling calling on Russia to immediately suspend its military operation in Ukraine. The ruling also calls on Ukraine to refrain from any action that might worsen the situation. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN which settles disputes between member states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions. The UN in a statement on March 16 said while ICJ verdicts are binding “the court has no direct means of enforcing them.”
Russia began a military operation in Ukraine on February 24 in response to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The United States and its allies, including Japan, responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia, while many foreign companies decided to leave the country’s market. The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation, which is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only, aims to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine, adding that the civilian population is not in danger. Moscow has repeatedly said it has no plans to occupy Ukraine. UNI/SPUTNIK
