Editorial

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The Polish Yearbook of International Law (PYIL), in its 43rd volume for 2023, presents a rich tapestry of contemporary legal issues and enduring debates in the field, all against the backdrop of a year dominated by the harsh realities of wars. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have cast a long shadow over the international legal landscape, highlighting both the fragility of peace and the critical role of international law in navigating times of crisis. The war between Russia and Ukraine, with its profound legal ramifications, emerges as the central theme of this new volume. The invasion has not only shattered lives and communities but has also shaken the foundations of the international legal order, prompting a renewed examination of its principles, norms, and institutions. The first part of the present volume (i.e., General Articles) delves into a wide array of topics that reflect the multifaceted nature of international and European law in these turbulent times. The volume opens with a thought-provoking text by Jerzy Kranz on the relationship between European Union (EU) and national law in the context of constitutional review. This is followed by Ernst-Ulrich Petersmann's article, which explores whether EU multilevel constitutionalism could constitute a possible answer to the governance failures of the UN (as reflected in the fiasco of climate change prevention, wars of aggression, or common violations of human rights). Mor Sobol looks at the European Neighbourhood Policy, investigating its origins, while Raquel Cardoso discusses the function and legitimacy of European criminal law. The next article, written by Jakub Kociubiński, addresses state aid for green technologies in the EU. A subsequent group of articles in this section investigates various legal issues connected with the Russian-Ukraine war. Nikolay Marin and Bilyana Manova explore three cases initiated against Russia before the International Court of Justice, offering a critical analysis of Russia's engagement with international legal mechanisms in the context of its aggression against Georgia and Ukraine. Sevanna Poghosyan's article on Russia's discourse on democracy in international law further illuminates the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, highlighting the dissonance between rhetoric and reality. The subsequent text by Milan Lipovsky examines the concept of "a certain international criminal court" as articulated by PL