Legal Perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine War

This book critically examines the legal ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the aftermath of these events. Combining international and domestic perspectives, it synthesises nearly three years of legal responses to the aggression.Russia's aggression against Ukraine has triggered profound legal challenges with far-reaching implications for the states directly involved, third parties, and the international legal order. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the international and domestic legal dimensions of the conflict. Beginning by exploring the international legal framework, including assessing the responses of the United Nations' system and key legal issues arising from the war. Exploring topics such as human rights, international humanitarian law, and the law of war, the book also analyses Poland’s response to the war, discussing the legislative and policy measures undertaken to address the impact of the crisis. Poland, Ukraine’s immediate neighbour, has played a pivotal role in managing the unprecedented influx of Ukrainian refugees and adapting its legal framework to the challenges posed by the war. The book uses Poland as a lens through which to examine the international legal response.This book will be of interest to researchers in the field of international law and human rights law.

Michał Balcerzak, Dr. hab. iur., is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Political Science and Security Studies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland, and the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Szczecin. He served as a judge ad hoc at the European Court of Human Rights (2018–2022). Since 2022 he has been a member, vice-chair, and chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. His research interests include international protection of human rights, litigation at international courts and tribunals, and the law of international organizations.Ewelina Cała-Wacinkiewicz, Dr. hab. iur., is Dean and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Szczecin, and is also a visiting professor at VITEZ University (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Director of the Centre for Strategic Analysis at the University of Szczecin; member, treasurer (2013–2023), and vice-president (2023–) of the Polish branch of the International Law Association (ILA); member of the Polish Association of European Law; member of “Team Europe,” an expert group operating at the European Commission. She is part of the research team of the UNESCO Chair for Social Sustainability at the University of Szczecin and is also an author and editor of numerous publications in the field of international law, European Union law, and international protection of human rights.