RUSSIA - UKRAINE WAR: IMPLICATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW, INTERNATIONAL LAW, NEW WORLD ORDER AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Abstract

The invasion and occupation of a sovereign nation by another is not only seriously frowned upon by the international community but is also a violation of international law. The recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Putin has significant implications in international law, it is also against world peace, and international relations. This article examines the legal and geopolitical dimensions of the conflict, focusing on issues of sovereignty, United Nations Articles, statutes and covenants, international economic law, and the broader effects on the New World Order. The research adopts a qualitative doctrinal methodology, analyzing international legal texts, treaties, and United Nations resolutions, as well as a case study approach to evaluate the broader implications of the war on global governance and power dynamics. Two key findings from the study are: Russia’s actions constitute a clear violation of international law, specifically with respect to state sovereignty and United Nations principles, highlighting the limitations of current international legal frameworks in preventing or resolving such conflicts. The war has led to a significant shift in international relations, heightening tensions between global powers and signaling the emergence of a new form of geopolitical rivalry reminiscent of Cold War dynamics. The article offers several recommendations, including that Russia must comply with all United Nations resolutions passed since the conflict began. The paper concluded that an urgent resolution to the war is essential to prevent the global situation from deteriorating into another prolonged period of superpower rivalry, as seen during the Cold War era.