Ukraine urges Rome Statute states to execute ICC arrest warrants for Russian officials
Ukraine has called on states parties to the Rome Statute to fully comply with International Criminal Court arrest warrants for six Russian officials. Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Melnyk also urged all countries to support a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which is intended to address crimes beyond the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Key points
- The ICC has issued six arrest warrants for Russian officials.
- Andrii Melnyk called on all ICC member states to arrest the individuals and transfer them to the court.
- The ICC issued warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023.
- Warrants for Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov were issued in March 2024.
- Warrants for Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov were issued in June 2024.
- Ukraine and the Council of Europe signed an agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Why it matters
Execution of the ICC warrants could bring Russian officials closer to accountability for the crimes being investigated by the court. The proposed Special Tribunal would complement the ICC by addressing the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which falls outside the court’s jurisdictional scope, while broader international participation could strengthen the tribunal’s work.
What happened
Ukraine urged states parties to the Rome Statute to execute the ICC’s six arrest warrants for Russian officials and transfer the individuals concerned to the court. Melnyk said all warrants must be fulfilled and also called on countries outside the Council of Europe to join the planned Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. He argued that the tribunal is necessary because the ICC cannot prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression under its current jurisdictional framework. Ukraine and the Council of Europe have signed an agreement to establish the tribunal.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources focus on enforcing the existing ICC warrants and creating a separate Special Tribunal to overcome the court’s jurisdictional limitations. They also stress the participation of all countries and the specific crimes investigated by the ICC.
Background
The ICC has issued six arrest warrants for Russian officials. The warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova concern the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children; Russia has deported or forcibly transferred more than 20,000 Ukrainian children. Warrants for Sergei Kobylash, Viktor Sokolov, Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov relate to alleged crimes connected with missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. ICC President Tomoko Akane called for continued support for the court amid US sanctions, threats and other challenges.