The ICC’s Cooperation Offer with Moscow on Ukraine: A Critical Assessment
The prosecutor’s statement from the International Criminal Court about a willingness to cooperate with Moscow on the Ukraine situation drew swift skepticism from the Kremlin. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, characterized the stance as hollow and inconsequential. He insisted that Russia rejects the ICC as illegitimate and rejects its jurisdiction, leaving no basis for any form of collaboration.
In late June, the ICC issued warrants targeting two senior Russian officials in connection with alleged international crimes in Ukraine. The arrest orders named Sergei Shoigu, the former defense minister, and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff. The Second Pre-Trial Chamber issued the warrants for actions spanning roughly the period from October 10, 2022, to March 9, 2023, according to the court’s communications. The ICC framed these actions as part of the broader context of alleged international crimes in Ukraine.
Earlier, in March 2023, the ICC had already issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and for Maria Lvova-Belova, the human rights commissioner for children. The court contended that they were responsible for illegally deporting Ukrainian children, a charge that has continued to propel Moscow into disputes with the court and its procedures.
There have been ongoing discussions within Kremlin circles regarding the ICC prosecutor’s petition seeking the arrest of other international leaders. Notably, the court’s recent moves have sparked responses that emphasize Moscow’s firm stance against what it regards as politicized actions by the ICC, along with questions about the court’s jurisdiction and methodologies in handling cases arising from the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian side emphasizes that any cooperation with the ICC would be unfounded while the court asserts its mandate to pursue alleged crimes. These developments reflect the continuing tension between Moscow and international judicial bodies over accountability and legal authority in wartime contexts. [Attribution: ICC statements and Kremlin responses]