ABSTRACT
Russia has been involved in the largest number of maritime disputes, including the most problematic maritime issues (for example, the dispute with Japan concerning the territorial identity of the islands of the Kuril Archipelago), settled disputes with neighbouring countries (such as that with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan concerning the status of the Caspian Sea) or the most current Ukrainian-Russian disputes that have arisen as a consequence of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
It seems important, therefore, to analyse the dispute settlement instruments guaranteed by the Convention on the Law of the Sea. In the past, states parties to the Convention have already used these instruments against Russia. Such analysis will suggest legal measures available to states parties engaged in potential maritime disputes with the Russian Federation in the future. Achieving the aforementioned goal is possible through the analysis of Russia’s obligations in relation to the choice of means of dispute settlement under Part XV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
