Global commitment crucial for Ukraine justice: Amnesty International
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale 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 crimes and aggression.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the international community imposed sanctions, 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 military 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 an escalation of the conflict despite US-brokered peace talks, 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: "Despite the ongoing aggression, international resolve to oppose Russia’s crimes under international law and support its victims has come under increasing strain in recent months, particularly since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency. 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 its 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.
Ukraine: the toll after four years of war
Four years ago on Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine, touching off Europe’s largest war since World War II. As the conflict enters its fifth year, at least 15,000 civilians in Ukraine have been killed, with last year being the deadliest since 2022. Estimates of battlefield dead are around 325,000 on the Russian side and 140,000 on the Ukrainian. Russian troops have been slowly advancing in eastern Ukraine, but the invasion failed to achieve its goal of toppling the Ukraine government. Trilateral peace talks brokered by the US are ongoing. (TNH)