The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Tuesday announced that it would hold hearings on March 7 and 8 to determine whether to order “provisional measures” brought in a lawsuit by Ukraine against Russia.

On February 26, Ukraine instituted proceedings against Russia before the ICJ. Ukraine alleged that Russia falsely claimed that acts of genocide occurred in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. It further alleged that, based on these false claims, Russia recognized the independence of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions and launched a “special military operation” against Ukraine.

The ICJ announced Tuesday that it will hold hearings on the matter. Judge Joan Donoghue, President of the ICJ, sent an urgent communication to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. In this communication, she stated:

Acting in conformity with Article 74, paragraph 4, of the Rules of Court, I hereby call the attention of the Russian Federation to the need to act in such a way as will enable any order the Court may make on the request for provisional measures to have its appropriate effects.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICJ will hold the hearings both in-person and remotely by video link. Ukraine will make its case on March 7, while Russia will present its defense on March 8.

The ICJ’s announcement comes in the wake of many other actions regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Monday, International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced that he would open an investigation into the situation in Ukraine. On the same day, Ukraine Ambassador to the UN Yevheniia Filipenko called for an inquiry into alleged war crimes perpetrated by Russia. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) also voted to hold an emergency debate on Thursday regarding Russia’s military actions.