Ukraine ratifies Rome Statute: Zelenskyy signs law
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president gov ua)
Ukraine has officially ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the relevant law, according to the bill No. 0285.
The Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). It outlines the court's operations and defines the crimes under its jurisdiction, including the crime of aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute grants it full membership in the ICC.
Ukraine has ratified the Rome Statute with a declaration under Article 124, which stipulates that the ICC will not have jurisdiction over war crimes under Article 8 concerning Ukrainian nationals for seven years following ratification. The ratification also opens the door for prosecuting Russian criminals.
Ratifying the Rome Statute was one of Ukraine's commitments for joining the European Union.
Background
Ukraine signed the Rome Statute on January 20, 2000, but did not ratify it.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced a bill for the ratification of the Rome Statute to the Verkhovna Rada on August 15, 2024. The Parliament approved the document on August 21.
During the bill's passage in the Rada, there was a debate. Members of Parliament received letters of support from the General Staff and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
For more details on why Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute and potential risks, see our full article.
