The ICC Warrant for Putin:
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the forced transfer of children to Russia after the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the first time the ICC has issued warrants in relation to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began last February. The warrant severely limits Putin’s potential range of diplomatic visits and comes ahead of a visit to Russia next week by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Moscow has previously said it did not recognise the court’s authority.
Accusations of Genocide:
Ukrainians accuse Moscow of attempting genocide against them and seeking to destroy their identity, partly through deporting children to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the issuance of the warrant against Putin “historic” and said it will lead to “historical responsibility.” Over 16,000 cases of forced deportation of Ukrainian children by the occupier have already been recorded in criminal proceedings investigated by Ukrainian law enforcement officers. However, the real, full number of deportees may be much higher.
Allegations of War Crimes:
Putin is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, according to the ICC statement. The court argued that Putin failed “to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts” and who were “under his effective authority and control.”
Reaction from World Leaders:
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the arrest warrant, saying Putin “clearly committed war crimes.” In response, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said, “The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin. No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used … ” concluding with a toilet paper emoji.
Significance of the Arrest Warrant:
In spite of numerous reports that Russian forces had committed war crimes in Ukraine, including a recent U.N. investigation that said Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian children amounted to a war crime, the Kremlin has denied committing any crimes. Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, welcomed the announcement, saying the warrant sent “a clear message that giving orders to commit or tolerating serious crimes against civilians may lead to a prison cell.”