An act of aggression? The crime of aggression? Russia's attack on Ukraine from the perspective of international law
Abstract
The daily reports on the course of the armed conflict in Ukraine, launched by the attack of the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, raise questions about responsibility not only for the crimes that take place during the conflict, but also for the unleashing of the conflict itself. The act of aggression and the crime of aggression are often mentioned in this context.
What is the relationship between the two concepts and does the Russian attack on Ukraine fulfill the characteristics of either? Who should be responsible for the act of aggression and the crime of aggression? What mechanisms are currently in place to exercise this responsibility at national or international level? And can the Czech Republic also play a role in this area? These issues are of interest to this paper.