"If civilization is to survive, it must choose the rule of law."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
As lawyers, it is our mission to uphold the rule of law. As a global network of law firms, Legalink views with great concern the military invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. We condemn this invasion, a clear and unequivocal violation of one of the most fundamental principles of international law – upholding the territorial integrity and political independence of countries and prohibiting the use of military force except in cases of self-defense or pursuant to a UN Security Council Resolution. There is no legal justification for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Legalink community of international lawyers stands in unison with the Ukrainian people.
In these difficult times our thoughts and prayers are with the professionals with our Ukrainian member firm Asters, as well as the Ukrainian people who are suffering an unacceptable humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions and are valiantly defending their sovereignty.
We urge all parties involved or concerned to make any possible effort to resolve this situation in a non-military, civilized way within the realms of the rule of law, however difficult this may currently seem. This is the only way for a long-term solution.
In this context, we applaud the brave Russian citizens who are raising their voices against the Ukrainian invasion, doing so at risk of their own personal liberty.
Legalink member firms have stepped up and offered legal, logistical and other assistance to people affected by the war, in particular, Ukrainian refugees.
We as a network will continue to help where we can, in the hope that violence and conflict may soon give way to dialogue and diplomacy.