Australian officials will take a stand in support of Ukraine at the United Nations’ highest court as kyiv challenges Russia’s claims the invasion was carried out to prevent genocide.
Days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice, alleging that Russian leaders were violating international law by using false claims of genocide in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine to justify their invasion.
Russian officials continued to accuse Ukraine of committing genocide.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Russia was violating the UN charter, which protects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every nation.
“Nothing Russia says or does can distract from this fact,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York (AEST) on Wednesday.
“Russia has been active in disinformation and misinformation about this war…and…what we have seen is countries, including Ukraine, opposing it.”
She added that the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with North Korean dictator and global pariah Kim Jong-un “shows how desperate he is.”
Officials from 32 countries are expected to speak in support of Ukraine at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
Solicitor General Stephen Donaghue will deliver Australia’s intervention on Wednesday evening (AEST) in which he will assert that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said false allegations of genocide undermine the rules-based international order and that Mr Donaghue’s intervention “demonstrates Australia’s unwavering commitment to upholding the fundamental rules of the international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.
Australian officials continued to call on Russia to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine, in accordance with the March 2022 order from the International Court of Justice.
Since the invasion, Australia has provided Ukraine with more than $790 million in aid, including $610 million in military equipment.
Senator Wong is expected to deliver a national statement on climate, development and the country’s commitment to UN reform and conflict prevention.