On the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Amnesty International called on the international community to maintain a steadfast commitment to hold Russia accountable under international law for its aggressions.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the international community imposed sanctions, sent assistance, and used international legal tools to counter the Russian aggression and support Ukraine. A year after the invasion, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has yet to be taken into court custody.

Recently, rights groups have noted diminishing pressure on Russia from the international community, raising concerns about human rights protections and prospects for peace in Ukraine. Notably, US President Donald Trump briefly halted aid to Ukraine in 2025, followed by a sharp reduction in funds provided for Ukraine in the 2026 budget compared to previous years. This comes amid escalated conflict, as 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022.

Amnesty International's senior director for research and advocacy Erika Guevara-Rosas commented that "commitments to justice and human rights are weakening as powerful actors grow emboldened to disregard international law and further erode the rules-based order." World leaders have warned that an erosion of the rules-based order continues to shift the international order into unchartered territory.

Despite drastic shifts in international attitude, many countries continue to support Ukraine. Canada recently unveiled a new set of sanctions against Russia, aimed at increasing economic costs to Russia and degrading their military capabilities. Additionally, EU members states have agreed to extend protection for Ukrainian refugees into 2027.

From JURIST, Feb. 24. Used with permission. 

See our last reports on Russian war crimes, and the (still limited) sanctions.