Now Reading: Russia appoints ex-CJI Chandrachud as arbitrator in Ukraine bank dispute
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Russia appoints ex-CJI Chandrachud as arbitrator in Ukraine bank dispute
Russia appoints ex-CJI Chandrachud as arbitrator in Ukraine bank dispute
Russia has appointed former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud as its arbitrator in an investment treaty dispute with Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank, which claims losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in…
The Story in Brief
Russia has appointed former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud as its arbitrator in an investment treaty dispute with Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank, which claims losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion. The arbitration is being heard by a three-member tribunal constituted under the 1998 bilateral investment treaty between Russia and Ukraine, with Costa Rican former trade minister Dyalá Jimenez as president and Greek professor Stavros Brekoulakis appointed by Oschadbank.
Chandrachud had previously declined two offers from Russia to act as its arbitrator in other investment disputes, after the Permanent Court of Arbitration designated him as appointing authority in one of those cases. The Ukrainian bank initiated the arbitration after a notice of dispute sent to Russia in July 2025 allegedly received no response.
The Indian Opinion
Some may question a former Indian CJI accepting a role from Russia while its war with Ukraine continues, but arbitrators are expected to be neutral. Chandrachud's past decision to decline Russia's earlier offers and step down as appointing authority after disclosing communications suggests he is mindful of conflicts. The real test will be whether either party challenges his impartiality given those prior contacts. Watch for any recusal motions at the tribunal's first procedural hearing.
Sources (3): livemint.com, timesnownews.com, hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
