the principle of territorial integrity of states

The article presentsthe historical and legal aspects ofthe Ukrainian crisis inthe context ofthe development ofmodern international law. The events in Ukraine in 2014–2024 actualized many institutions of modern international law: the hierarchy of principles of territorial integrity of states and the right of peoples to self-determination, the problem of secession and the role of referendums in the creation of new independent states, the issue of their recognition in the international arena and the protection of compatriots abroad.

The article presents the historical and legal aspects of the formation and development of two fundamental principles of international law:theterritorial integrity of States andthe right of peoplesto self-determination. The author’s analysis showsthat currentlythere is no hierarchy in international law among the principles of territorial integrity of States and the right of peoples to self-determination – they are interrelated and have the same international legal force.