Summary of the Article
After many months of tension between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian military has finally done what it promised not to do and has invaded Ukraine, resulting in a war. O’Meara (2022) believes that this action is illegal and violates various international ordinances. The author demonstrates how the Russian Federation has continued to disobey international laws and regulations. He gives a brief description of the recent tensions between the two nations and how the UN Security Council reacted. The paper also briefly looks at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), its importance, and the challenges it is faced with. O’Meara’s article (2022) seeks to explain the illegality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by examining the UN founding constitutional document called the UN Charter and Budapest Memorandum of 1994.
The writer focuses on issues directly linked with the Russia Ukraine invasion, which are 13 of the 111 in the UN Charter. He looks at the purpose of the UN contained in article one, the principles of members, admission to be a member, expulsion procedure, and the composition of the UN Security Council. Other articles addressed include those involved with voting, settlement of disputes, UNSC resolutions, adjusting the council, how to determine an aggressor, powers of UNSC, and issues concerning the right to self-defense. The Budapest Memorandum in which Russia promised to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty is also discussed.
Analysis of the Article
Consequences of the Event
The Russian invasion of Ukraine could have numerous consequences for them and other nations, including Ukraine. The violation, if left unchecked, could lead nations to fulfill their state needs using means that are against UN rules. By invading Ukraine, Russia has set a precedent that nations can violate the territorial rights of other nations, use force rather first seek peace when faced with misunderstanding, and has also demonstrated that some sovereignties like itself could be more important than others. This event greatly puts world peace under serious threat, and nations aligned to Russia like Belarus could face the same UN sanctions as those posed on Russia. The recognition of Russia as a peace-loving state has been lost, which could negatively affect the nation’s economic, social, and political position.
Why It Is International
Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine is a multinational event although the conflict involves just the two nations. This event greatly puts world peace under serious threat, and nations that are aligned with Russia, like Belarus, could face the same UN sanctions as those posed on Russia. Russia’s disrespect for Ukraine sovereignty breaks the internal law resolution of 2020 and 1994 agreement in Budapest. Article 25 of the UN Charter, where states are responsible for keeping their promises, was broken by attacking Ukraine. Disobeying the rules of an international organization formed to promote world peace could bring catastrophic wars if the issue is left unaddressed. Putting sanctions on Russia would make them retaliate leading to crude oil shortages as Russia is one of the biggest producers. A war in Ukraine could lead to global shortages of wheat. These will in turn result to elevation in prices of global commodities.
Analysis of the Event Using Realism Theory
Realism theory where a nation does things that benefit it most explains why Russia was interested in gaining control in the rich but disputed Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Russian Federation’s previous acts to accept the sovereignty of Ukraine, follow international law, and avoid the use of force were just a policy adopted by the state to pursue its interests. Russia’s recent shift of tactics to a more radical state ready to use violence can be analyzed as a shift from classical realism to extreme realism.
The UN systems and laws, including resolutions made by the UNSC, are always complicated because member states always decide their nation’s interests. The Budapest Memorandum, a legally non-abiding contract, was signed with both Ukraine and Russia having a goal of serving their national interests best. In exchange for Ukraine to surrender all its nuclear weapons, Russia would not attack Ukraine unless when attacked. However, the change of Russian realism strategy recently, first by invading the Crimean Peninsula then the resistance of Ukraine joining NATO all acts of radical realism.
Conclusion
By examining the UN Charter articles and the Budapest Memorandum contents, the author has demonstrated that the invasion of Ukraine is illegal according to international law. Breaking the international law could harm world peace, cause economic failure and lead to political wrangles. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has international ramifications as it sets a bad precedent for other countries and violates the UN constitution, which the organization creates to foster world peace. The shift from classical realism to extreme realism may not serve the best way for Russia to safeguard its security and national interests.
Reference
O’Meara, K. (2022). Understanding the illegality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. E-International Relations. Web.