The secession of Crimea and its annexation to Russia recalls both the fundamental principles of contemporary international law and the limitations of their effective application in the international society. Indeed, the unlawfulness of the situation, which results from the Russian intervention in Ukraine, faces the deadlock of the Security Council. The international reaction is therefore restricted to the duty of non-recognition and the eventual use of retorsion. This limitation provides an opportunity to reflect on the connection between law and politics on the international stage.