Ukraine backs International Criminal Court amid US sanctions pressure
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine, as a state party to the Rome Statute, has reaffirmed its support for the International Criminal Court, its independence and integrity. The statement came just hours after the United States imposed sanctions on the court.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry emphasized that the court helps hold Russia accountable for its crimes.
"For Ukraine, the ICC is a vital institution in our pursuit of accountability for Russian atrocities and delivering justice to victims and survivors," the statement said.
Ukraine also pledged to continue cooperating with other states parties to ensure the court operates effectively.
The statement came at a difficult time for the court. Back in July, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a campaign to "dismantle the threat" posed by the ICC to American sovereignty. Washington subsequently imposed sanctions on some of the court's judges and prosecutors, including its president, Tomoko Akane. Meanwhile, several countries, including Venezuela and Chad, announced their withdrawal from the court.
Washington announced sanctions against the court as an institution on the evening of October 9. Rubio explained that the United States would prohibit any transactions with the ICC and cut off its resources, accusing the court of attempting to expand its powers and prosecute Americans. The decision came shortly after a former ICC judge received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Ukraine became a full member of the Rome Statute on January 1, 2025, after the Verkhovna Rada ratified the document in August 2024. In March 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
