The International Court of Justice, the highest legal body of the United Nations, is expected to make a decision on Friday regarding a case in which Ukraine has accused Russia of breaching international law. Ukraine claims that Russia’s invasion was carried out in the name of preventing a supposed genocide.

Ukraine filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), commonly referred to as the World Court, shortly after Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The focus of the case is on the 1948 Genocide Convention, but Kyiv is not accusing Moscow of committing genocide in Ukraine. Instead, they argue that Russia violated the genocide treaty by using the justification of stopping an alleged genocide of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine for their invasion.

During hearings in September of last year, attorneys representing Moscow requested that the judges dismiss the case, claiming that Kyiv’s legal arguments were erroneous and that the court did not have the authority to hear the case.

Ukraine claimed that there was no danger of genocide occurring in eastern Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict with Russian-supported forces since 2014.

The city of Moscow has stated that Ukraine is using the case as a circuitous means to obtain a decision on the overall legality of Russia’s military intervention.

Over twenty European countries, in addition to Australia and Canada, have shown support for Kyiv by issuing official statements to the court, emphasizing their belief that the case should proceed.

In March 2022, the court issued emergency measures in response to this case, mandating that Russia cease its military actions in Ukraine. Despite the court’s rulings being ultimate and legally obligatory, there is no means for enforcement and certain countries, such as Russia, have disregarded the directives.

If the ICJ chooses to proceed with the Ukraine-Russia genocide case, it may be several months before the court will hear the entire case.

Earlier this week, Ukraine achieved a minor triumph at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the judges determined that Russia had breached United Nations treaties by providing financial support for acts of terrorism and engaging in discriminatory actions in a separate case that pertained to events from 2014.