ICC arrest warrant for Putin is beginning of process of Russian leaders' accountability - EU

This is stated in a statement by the European Union, delivered during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.

The crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine and its people will not go unpunished, the EU emphasizes. The EU fully supports the efforts of Ukraine and the international community in this direction, "including the establishment of an appropriate mechanism for the prosecution of the crime of aggression."

"In this context, we take note of the 17 March 2023 decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Mr Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, as well as Ms Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President. We see this ICC decision as the beginning of the accountability process and holding Russia, its leaders, and anyone responsible to account for the crimes and atrocities they are ordering, enabling or committing in Ukraine," the statement reads. 

The EU also supports the investigations conducted by the ICC Prosecutor in Ukraine and calls for full-cooperation by all State Parties. "We also reaffirm our support for the work of the Joint Investigation Team and welcome the establishment of the International Centre for Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine."

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

• Representatives of various states and international organizations reacted to the ICC's decision. They were later joined by representatives of the United Kingdom and Canada, who unequivocally supported the court's position. And US President Joe Biden said that the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin was justified because the Russian president had committed war crimes. Germany has stated that it will be obliged to detain Vladimir Putin if he appears on the territory of the country to comply with the decision of the International Criminal Court.

• It is also known that Russian President Putin is scheduled to visit South Africa in August to attend the BRICS summit. The leadership of South Africa is aware of the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin and is aware of its legal obligations.

• On March 20, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev threatened a precision strike on the building of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for the Russian dictator. 

• According to media reports, the Kremlin was unprepared for the issuance of an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and does not understand how to protect him during his travels abroad.

• Already on March 23, the International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed regret over the threats against the institution due to the arrest warrant for Putin.