In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine on the premise of protecting its citizens abroad. In particular, President Putin justified his aggression against Ukraine by claiming that those residing in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions desperately required aid, resulting in his invocation of Article 51 of the United Nations (UN) Charter. The use of force in international politics is a contested factor that remains relevant and predominant throughout discussions of global security. This is primarily because the UN Charter’s strict ban on the use of force is contradicted by Article 51, which affirms the right to self-defense. Article 51 dictates, “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations….”

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