Part 8/12:
The situation poses significant legal questions. Under international law, the definition of a mercenary does not apply to Jenkins, who was embedded with the Ukrainian armed forces and therefore entitled to prisoner of war protections. If his death is confirmed, it could represent a war crime under international law. Yet, skepticism remains regarding Western nations’ willingness to act in the face of such violations, especially given previous occurrences where nations seemed to overlook Russian aggression.
Australia’s rhetoric, like many other Western countries, tends to soar high while the actual actions taken often fall short. The reality that nations might lack robust follow-through on their threats remains a concerning pattern amidst a series of international conflicts.