On Friday, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber II issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war crimes committed during the Ukraine conflict.
War Crimes in Ukraine
The court said that, since the conflict began in February 2022, Putin had been involved in war crimes in Ukraine, such as illegally deporting and transferring civilians, including children, from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The press release issued following the warrant noted that the court has reason to believe that Putin bears “individual criminal responsibility.”
Following issuance of arrest warrants by #ICC pre-trial chamber in #Ukraine situation, #ICC Prosecutor #KarimAAKhanKC spoke to @CNN. pic.twitter.com/ChWeLDTpUe
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 18, 2023
The Russian president is being accused of either having committed the acts directly or failing to exercise his power to control civilian and military personnel that orchestrated the violations.
However, the Chamber said the warrants will be kept secret to “protect victims and witnesses” and further “safeguard the investigation.” Nevertheless, given that the conflict is ongoing, the release highlighted that the warrants could prevent the further commission of crimes.
Zelensky Responds
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated the Chamber’s “fundamental” and “historic” decision, which he said was critical for “historical responsibility.”
He said it recognised the war crimes committed by Russian officials, including the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. The Ukrainian president highlighted that while there have been 16,000 incidents of illegal displacement of children, the illegal deportations are likely higher.
“Separating children from their families, depriving them of any opportunity to contact their relatives, hiding children on the territory of Russia, throw them in remote regions — all this is an obvious state policy of Russia, state decisions and state evil,” Zelensky lamented.
International Criminal Court issues warrant of arrest for Putin. The historic decision, from which historical responsibility will begin. pic.twitter.com/cUW0WbeGKJ
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2023
Regarding Putin, he said that conducting such violations could not have been possible without the support of the “top leader of the terrorist state.”
Zelensky celebrated the ICC’s decision to help Ukraine in its “fight for justice.” He added that while 300 children had been brought back from Russia, it was critical to get everyone back. He also thanked the Ukrainian military for its resilience and strength in combatting the Russian troops.
Putin’s South Africa Visit
#ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański on recent arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova in the context of the situation in #Ukraine
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 17, 2023
More info: https://t.co/5OMC7Xuuy5 pic.twitter.com/45bT4mHqIs
While the ICC’s decision has been celebrated as a victory for Ukraine, the impact is feared to be limited. Putin is scheduled to visit South Africa for the BRICS summit in August, which the African country intends to continue as planned.
On being questioned about the impact of the ICC warrant, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that the government is “cognisant” of its “legal obligation.” “However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders.”
South Africa has not condemned Russia for the Ukraine war. However, it has extended support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.