Indonesian Journal of International Law


Crisis and General International Law: Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Alexander, Atul (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Oct 2023

Abstract

The ongoing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine has instilled fear in humanity, with concerns of a possible third world war. Furthermore, international law has been criticized for its lackadaisical role in halting the Russian aggression. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has not been able to pass a resounding resolution condemning the attacks. Although the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding that Russia immediately cease military operations in Ukraine, the resolution is not binding, despite being persuasive. This brief article highlights the structural crisis in general international law to effectively combat the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. Some of the structural shortcomings studied include consent, veto, lack of accountability and flimsy sanctions regime. This paper is divided into two main themes. Firstly, it maps the structural crisis in general international law in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Secondly, it provides a possible solution to address these issues. A structural crisis refers to a simultaneous crisis in many fields of international law, or what might be called a generalized crisis. It is concluded that although general international law provides several avenues to overcome these structural crises, it has failed to deliver due to a lack of will from the States.

Copyrights © 2023






Journal Info

Abbrev

publication:ijil

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

IJIL is intended to promote international law in Indonesia and to build the interest of scholars and decision-makers in the important role of international law in developing the rule-based international community. IJIL is intended to serve as an academic discussion forum on the development of ...