International Court of Justice accepts russia's counterclaim in case of genocide against Ukraine

The International Court of Justice has agreed to consider russia's counterclaim in the case where Ukraine accuses the russian federation of false statements about "genocide" in the Donbas.

This was reported by the press service of the court.

The court found the russian claim "admissible", stating that Moscow seeks to refute Ukraine's accusations and substantiate its own claims. The court also rejected Kyiv's motion to dismiss the russian complaint, indicating that it falls under the jurisdiction of the institution and is directly related to the subject of the Ukrainian claim.

Russia must submit its position and arguments by December 7, 2027.

Ukraine filed the claim on February 26, 2022 - two days after the start of the full-scale invasion. Kyiv emphasizes that:

• Russia falsely claimed about alleged "acts of genocide" in the Luhansk and Donetsk Regions;
• The russian federation used these claims to recognize the "L/DPR" and later justify a full-scale invasion;
• Moscow has no legal basis to act "to prevent genocide" that did not occur;
• Instead, Ukraine accuses russia of committing real acts of genocide: intentional killings and inflicting serious bodily harm on Ukrainians.

As a reminder, on February 1, the International Court of Justice ruled that the aggressor state had violated treaties on 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.

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