Kyiv: Ukraine on Sunday moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague against Russia to hold Moscow accountable for its actions against Kyiv.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky requested an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week.
“Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week,” he tweeted.
Earlier, the Ukraine President turned down Russia’s offer for talks in Belarus.
ALSO READ: Russia Attacks Ukraine LIVE: Ukraine Army Retakes Kharkiv, Expelling Russian Troops, Says Governor
Justifying his assertion, the President said the neighbouring Belarus is being used as a launchpad for the invasion.
President Zelensky in a video message named Warsaw, Bratislava, Istanbul, Budapest or Baku as alternative venues, AP reported.
He said the other locations are also possible but made it clear that Ukraine doesn’t accept Russia’s selection of Belarus.
Earlier, the Kremlin said that a Russian delegation had arrived in the Belarusian city of Homel for talks with Ukrainian officials.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the delegation includes the military officials and diplomats.
“The Russian delegation is ready for talks, and we are now waiting for the Ukrainians,” AP quoted Peskov as saying.
Early Sunday, street fighting broke out in Kharkiv as the Russian troops pushed into Ukraine’s second-largest city, as per a regional official, AP reported.
Several countries, including the UK, the US, Canada and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow.