EU reacts to ICC warrant for Putin's arrest

This is said in the statement of the high representative of the EU, which was published on the European External Action Service website.

"The European Union has taken note of the decision of the International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II to issue arrest warrants against the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, and Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with alleged crimes of unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children in the context of the situation in Ukraine," the document reads.

On December 15, 2022, the heads of state and government of the member states of the European Union welcomed and "encouraged further efforts to ensure full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine."  

Currently, the EU considers the decision of the International Criminal Court as "a beginning of the process of accountability and holding Russian leaders to account for the crimes and atrocities they are ordering, enabling or committing in Ukraine."

"The EU also expresses its support for the investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in Ukraine and calls for full-cooperation by all State Parties," the statement says.

• On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova.

• Representatives of various states and international organizations reacted to this decision. Later, they were joined by representatives of Great Britain and Canada, who unequivocally supported the position of the court.

• US President Joe Biden said that the warrant for Putin's arrest is justified because the Russian president committed war crimes.

• Russian President Putin is to visit South Africa in August to participate in the BRICS summit. The leadership of the South African Republic is aware of the International Criminal Court's warrant for Putin's arrest and is aware of its legal obligations.

• The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also reacted to this decision and emphasized that Russia will bear responsibility for every crime against Ukraine and its people.