The Ukrainian Legislative Assembly endorses affiliation with the International Criminal Court
Ukraine has previously collaborated successfully with the ICC to establish full accountability for all the heinous acts perpetrated by Russia during their aggressive period. Kuleba, the Foreign Minister, expressed that this collaboration will now be even more impactful. He also mentioned that this decision takes Ukraine a significant step forward towards joining the EU.
The EU has consistently pushed Kyiv to take this contentious move. However, there are concerns within Ukraine's military circles about the ICC potentially prosecuting Ukrainian soldiers for alleged wrongdoings during the conflict against Russia.
Now, with the parliament's approval, an exemption has been made under Article 124 of the Rome Statute. This means Ukrainian citizens will be exempt from prosecution for war crimes for a period of seven years.
The German Foreign Office celebrated Ukraine's presence as the 125th signatory to the ICC. They stated that Russia's attack on Ukraine is not just a brutal assault on Ukraine, but a vicious attack on international law. They commended Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute, which they believe strengthens international law and the ICC.
Established in The Hague in 2002, the Court has been investigating and prosecuting some of the gravest crimes such as war crimes since its inception. It has the power to issue arrest warrants that are valid in all 125 countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute.
Just after Russia launched its aggressive campaign against Ukraine in February 2022, the ICC initiated an investigation. In March 2023, the judges handed out an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine. However, due to Russia's non-recognition of the ICC, Putin remains safe in ICC non-member states.
The Court of Justice might also play a role in this complex international situation, as its jurisdiction often intertwines with international law matters. Ukraine's Parliament recently ratified an agreement with the Court of Justice, aiming to strengthen its cooperation.
With the new accord, Ukraine seeks to ensure that its cooperation with the Court of Justice aligns with its commitments to the EU, further solidifying its path towards EU membership.
