Highlight 27/2025: What are the key challenges to the implementation of international norms in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing armed conflict?
Nikol Petkova, 30 May 2025
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused severe human suffering, with thousands of civilian deaths and widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools. Entire communities have been wiped out, millions displaced, and families separated. Serious human rights abuses, including execution, torture, and sexual violence, have taken place without accountability.
The ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine has underscored significant challenges in implementing international norms, particularly international humanitarian law (IHL). Despite established legal frameworks, various factors hinder their effective application, exacerbating civilian suffering and complicating accountability efforts.
One of the key challenges in enforcing international norms lies in the limitations of judicial bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). Because Russia is not a member of the ICC, the court’s jurisdiction over crimes committed during the invasion is significantly restricted. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Russia has consistently denied that its forces have committed any violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Ukraine. Moreover, for the ICC to prosecute the crime of aggression, member states must ratify a specific amendment to the Rome Statute. In response, the European Union has proposed initiatives like the establishment of a special tribunal to address the crime of aggression and hold senior Russian officials accountable. Nonetheless, significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding state cooperation and the enforcement of judicial decisions.
The evolution of modern warfare presents significant challenges to compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL). Drones have played a major role in the ongoing conflict, being used not only for targeting but also for delivering vital aid to wounded civilians. Meanwhile, cyberspace remains a relatively new battlefield, raising numerous unresolved questions about how IHL applies in this domain. In early May 2025, countries met at the United Nations to renew efforts to regulate AI-powered autonomous weapons, as experts stress the urgency of establishing safeguards. These technologies are increasingly used in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, and rising global defense spending is further accelerating their development. The absence of binding international regulations for these emerging tools continues to raise serious concerns about accountability and the protection of civilians.
Despite the many challenges it faces, Ukraine has produced a voluntary report on the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) during armed conflict—an effort that is both impressive and highly commendable. While adherence to IHL is an international norm, especially in times of conflict, there is no obligation for states to produce voluntary reports on its implementation. To date, only 14 countries have submitted such reports, making Ukraine’s contribution particularly notable given the difficult circumstances the country and its people are enduring.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence (MoDU) report stands out for its comprehensive approach. It goes beyond outlining national legislation to include policies, practical measures, and unique IHL-related initiatives. A notable example is the “I Want to Live” project, which allows enemy soldiers to declare their intent to surrender online before they are deployed, offering them clear instructions for doing so safely.
In conclusion, the implementation of international norms in Ukraine’s conflict is hindered by non-compliance, legal limitations, technological advancements in warfare and difficulties in ensuring accountability. Addressing these issued necessitates a concerted international effort to reinforce legal frameworks, adapt to modern warfare’s realities, and prioritise the protection of civilians.
Nikol Petkova, Highlight 27/2025: What are the key challenges to the implementation of international norms in the context of Ukraine’s ongoing armed conflict?, 30 May 2025, available at www.meig.ch
The views expressed in the MEIG Highlights are personal to the authors and neither reflect the positions of the MEIG Programme nor those of the University of Geneva.