On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague that Russian President Vladimir Putin must be held accountable for his war in Ukraine.
In March, the ICC issued an arrest order for Putin for the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children. In addition, the European Commission announced a new international center for prosecuting aggression in Ukraine in The Hague.
“We all want to see a different Vladimir here in the Hague, the one who deserves to be sanctioned for his criminal actions here, in the capital of international law,” Zelenskiy added.
“I’m sure we will see that happen when we win,” he stated. “Whoever brings war must receive judgement.”
Russia rejects the ICC’s authority and denies committing crimes in its “special operation” to “demilitarise” Ukraine.
Zelenskiy visited the ICC under an hour earlier that day on his first official visit to the Netherlands.
Zelenskiy waved to a Ukrainian family shouting “Slava Ukraini” outside the ICC headquarters as he departed.
In February, Rutte said he would back Ukraine militarily if it did not involve NATO in a battle with Russia.
In February, European Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen announced a Hague-based international center for aggression prosecution in Ukraine.
The ICC may punish genocide in Ukraine but not Russian aggression.
The UN defines aggression as “invasion or attack by the armed forces of a state (on) the territory of another state, or any military occupation.”
Russia has increased strikes as Ukraine prepared to recover Russian-occupied territory in the south and east. Wednesday’s Russian bombardment in Kherson’s southern border killed 23 people.
