DISINFO: The arrest warrant issued by the ICC - International Criminal Court against Putin poses new challenges to chances for peace
SUMMARY
Since the beginning of the Ukrainian war, one of the cornerstones of US strategy has been to isolate Putin. The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin destroys the Tribunal's last semblance of credibility and poses new challenges to Ukraine's chances for peace, as it makes it more difficult for Western politicians to have contact with the Kremlin.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives presenting the US and International Criminal Court (ICC) as anti-Russian bodies participating in the war in Ukraine.
Western countries emphasise the personal responsibility of Vladimir Putin for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. As stressed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP) Josep Borrell: “President Putin and his government started a war against an independent, sovereign neighbouring country. The behaviour of the Russian leadership constitutes a major threat to international peace and security.”
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine says that Russian authorities have committed a wide range of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in various regions of Ukraine, many of which amount to war crimes. Read here for the full report.
On 17 March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for two individuals in the context of the situation in Ukraine: Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova. The court alleges Putin is responsible for war crimes, and has focused on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia committed from 24 February 2022 - when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
In a statement, the ICC said it had reasonable grounds to believe that Putin committed the criminal acts directly, as well as working with others. It also accused him of failing to use his presidential powers to stop children being deported.
As far as peace negotiations are concerned, the EU Council Conclusions of 09 February 2023 state unequivocally:
"Russia must stop this atrocious war immediately. The European Union will stand by Ukraine with its steadfast support for as long as it takes."
The EU supports Ukraine’s initiative for a just peace, including President Zelenskyy’s peace formula, Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan and a peace formula summit.
At the same time, the West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Read similar cases claiming that the West demonises Vladimir Putin and closed the way to negotiations in Ukraine, that the West has one goal: to eliminate Russia that fifty countries are trying to wipe Russia off the Earth and that Biden’s visit to Kyiv proves that the West is a direct party in the Ukrainian war.
See more cases concerning the ICC arrest warrant on Putin here.