The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: International Legal Implications

Organised by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague, partnered with The Hague Humanity Hub and supported by the Municipality of The Hague.

On Tuesday 8 March, the international law research centre T.M.C. Asser Instituut will organise an in-person discussion on the international legal implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Top experts in international law will answer your questions and explain the legal options that the international community has for responding to this grave situation.

Background:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is holding the world in its grip. Beyond the operational and security-related questions, international law plays an important role in this context as well. Many of the world’s nation states have united to condemn the invasion for undermining the very foundation of the international legal order, and core provisions of the UN Charter. But there is much more to be said about the role of international law in this conflict. For example, how has language on historical memory been used in the lead-up to the invasion and what does international law say about this? What is the role of cyber warfare in this conflict and how does it relate to the laws of war? Which international laws are currently being violated? What are the United Nations’ legal options? Can The Hague-based tribunals pass judgement on Russia, and what happens if they do? Can individuals be held accountable for actions in Ukraine? Can Putin himself be tried? If so, for what crimes and through what mechanisms? Finally, are there legal instruments available to stop the threat of nuclear war?

These and many more questions will be discussed during this event, organised by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in the centre of the international city of peace and

justice, The Hague. The event will be a conversation without formal presentations. Instead, experts will introduce subtopics of international law that are relevant to the conflict, followed by a discussion with all participants.

Of course, we would also like to hear from you, the people reading this and possibly interested in signing up. If you want to ask a question about the legal implications of the Russia – Ukraine conflict, or on the legal options that the international community has to respond, please send us an email at communications@asser.nl. Questions will be collected before the event and shared with the moderator, who will decide which ones to put to the experts. No personal details will be shared.

Moderator: Carl Emilio Lewis, T.M.C. Asser Instituut

Confirmed speakers:

*Ulad Belavusau, T.M.C. Asser Instituut

*Thilo Marauhn, T.M.C. Asser Instituut

*Sergey Vasiliev, University of Amsterdam

*Marten Zwanenburg, University of Amsterdam

*Galyna Kostiukevych, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Sergey Vasiliev, University of Amsterdam