Challenging the Status Quo: Examining Russian Disregard for International Law in the Context of the Invasion of Ukraine and Its Implications for Global Peace and Security

The Russian war against Ukraine is a human tragedy on a scale not witnessed by Europe in recent decades. Tens of thousands have died, and millions of people have escaped Ukraine. The war has also sparked financial shocks throughout the international economy. Supply chains have been disrupted due to export bans, international sanctions, and Russia’s threat to Ukraine’s exports along the Black Sea. The two countries are key players in international trade. Russia is a major supplier of oil and metal, while Ukraine supplies food. Aside from the economic consequences, the war between Russia and Ukraine has challenged international law greatly. Russia is a member of the United Nations Security Council. As a result, it has veto power to prevent litigation for crimes against humanity. The war has shown that international dominance influences a country’s possibility of facing justice for crimes of aggression. It has also proven that most powerful nations adopt a realist approach in which they wage battles to safeguard their countries’ interests.