Foreign Ministry: Ukraine believes ICJ will stop Russian aggression

The start of hearings at the International Court of Justice on the indication of provisional measures within the case of Ukraine v. Russian Federation gives a chance to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Avdiivka and Crimea.

This is stated in the commentary of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.

"March 6, the International Court of Justice starts to hold public hearings on the indication of provisional measures within the framework of the case Ukraine v. Russian Federation. The lawsuit was filed at the International Court of Justice on January 16, 2017 in order to hold Russia responsible for supporting terrorism in eastern Ukraine and discrimination against ethnic Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea. The provisional measures will allow the Court to prevent the deterioration of the situation, and, most importantly, to protect the civilian population during the period required for examination of the case," the statement says.

In the request for indication of provisional measures Ukraine asks the ICJ to oblige the Russian Federation to stop to violate the international law. In particular, Ukraine appeals to the Court with the motion to oblige the Russian Federation to ensure effective control over Ukraine-Russia border, to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, to stop supporting illegal armed groups which inflict damage to the civilian population of Ukraine, as well as to refrain from any further acts of ethnic discrimination in the occupied Crimea.

The hearings on indication of provisional measures are expected to last four days. Ukraine will present arguments on Monday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 8. The Russian Federation will present its arguments on Tuesday, March 7, and on Thursday, March 9. The hearings will start at 11:00 (Kyiv time).

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