The World Court has announced it will decide whether it shall hear a case brought by Ukraine accusing Russia of violating international law on Friday.
Russia has justified its invasion by claiming it was launched to stop a genocide of Russian speakers in Ukraine – claims that Kyiv argues is a breach of the 1948 Genocide Convention given there was no risk of genocide.
The legal battle refers to fighting between Russian-backed forces and Ukraine in the country’s east since 2014.
Lawyers for Moscow have urged judges to throw out the case, saying Ukraine is using it as a roundabout way to get a ruling on the overall legality of Russia’s invasion.
If the UN court, also known as the International Court of Justice, does decide the Ukraine-Russia case can move forward, it could take many months before hearings on the merits are scheduled.
Optimism leaders of Hungary and Ukraine could meet
Ukraine and Hungary are interested in holding a meeting between their leaders as soon as possible, top Ukrainian presidential official Andriy Yermak says.
He added the two countries had agreed to form a commission that would prepare proposals on the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority living in Ukraine, reported Evropeiska Pravda.
His comments come after a meeting with Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto, following tensions between Budapest and Kyiv over the issue.
It appears to indicate a shift in relations between Hungary and Ukraine
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban has retained cordial ties with Russia despite Moscow’s invasion, and has been a vocal critic of the EU’s financial and military support for Kyiv.
But earlier today, Mr Orban’s political director said Hungary was open to using the EU budget for a proposed €50bn aid package to Ukraine that it had once blocked.
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