International Court of Justice orders Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine
The United Nations' highest court on Wednesday ordered Russia to stop hostilities in Ukraine.
The International Court of Justice, or ICJ, granted measures requested by Kyiv although many are sceptical that Russia will comply.
Two weeks ago, Ukraine asked the ICJ -- also known as the World Court -- to intervene, arguing Russia violated the 1948 Genocide Convention by falsely accusing Ukraine of committing one and using that as a pretext for the ongoing invasion.
"The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the special military operations it commenced on 24 February 2022," the court's president, judge Joan E. Donoghue, said.
Countries that refuse to abide by court orders can be referred to the UN Security Council, where Russia holds veto power.
Still, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed it as a major breakthrough.
"Ukraine gained a complete victory in its case against Russia at the International Court of Justice," he wrote on Twitter.
"The ICJ ordered to immediately stop the invasion. The order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further."
Moscow snubbed a hearing last week when lawyers for Ukraine told the court that Russia had started an "unprovoked aggression".
The invasion brought "cities under siege, civilians under fire [creating a] humanitarian catastrophe and refugees fleeing for their lives," argued David Zionts, a Ukraine legal team member.
Earlier this week, Russia argued in writing that The Hague-based court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and that nothing in the convention forbids the use of force.
In a 13-2 decision, the court also told Moscow to ensure military units "take no steps" to further the conflict, which Russia
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