The Armed Attack Against Ukraine and the Italian Reaction From a Ius ad Bellum Perspective


The Russian aggression against Ukraine provoked an unprecedented response from “Western” States, which promptly and increasingly transferred weapons to the latter State. The present article, looking in particular at the Italian domestic practice, argues that supplying weapons to Ukraine is legitimate under ius ad bellum, since Ukraine is lawfully exercising its right to self-defence. This conclusion will be reached through an analysis of the arguments advanced by Russia to justify the “special military operation” launched on the 24 February 2022.