The Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine: International Law and Power Politics or ‘What Happens Now’

Abstract

The article deals with the relationship between international law and power politics in the light of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The relationship between international law and politics is very close, even natural, since the principles and rules of international law primarily act in international relations, that is in a political reality. It is the problem of observance and violations of the legal principles and rules on the use of force that is the key point of reference for the discussion of this issue. The serious breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter by Russia, the crime of aggression and other alleged crimes committed during this international armed conflict incline the author to address some questions on the power and weakness of international law. The power of international law is severely tested when it comes to the unilateral use of force by states. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is arguably the most important such test since the end of World War II, at least in Europe. The author claims that such crises as the Russian aggression against Ukraine clearly prove that international law is what states want it to be.