Ukrainian Foreign Minister on ratifying Rome Statute: Ukraine takes another step toward EU membership

"Ukraine has become the 125th member of the International Criminal Court. This has been a long journey full of challenges, myths, and fears. None of them have been true. And today, we are finally there, thanks to President's leadership, years of systemic work by the Foreign Ministry and other institutions, and the will of Ukrainian parliamentarians," wrote Kuleba on his X.

He noted that by taking this step, Ukraine demonstrates its unwavering commitment to strengthening international justice.

"Ukraine has already worked effectively with the ICC to ensure comprehensive accountability for all Russian atrocities committed in the course of Russian aggression. This work will now be even more effective. With the ratification of the Rome Statute, Ukraine also took another significant step toward joining the EU," emphasized Kuleba.

Ukraine has ratified the Rome Statute

Ukraine signed the Rome Statute on January 20, 2000, but did not ratify it, although after signing the Association Agreement with the EU in 2014, ratification of this document was one of Ukraine's direct international obligations.

In August of this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament - ed.) to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and its amendments.

Yesterday, on August 20, the Foreign Policy Committee supported the relevant draft law No. 0285 on ratification and recommended that the Verkhovna Rada approve it, and the members of Parliament did that.

And today, the Verkhovna Rada ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The relevant draft law No. 0285 was voted for by 281 MPs.