Ukraine has taken a significant step towards potential membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC) by ratifying the Rome Statute. The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, voted to approve the ICC statute, paving the way for increased accountability for war crimes, particularly those committed by Russian officials.
Membership in the ICC is a crucial requirement for Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union, a goal it has been pursuing since being formally accepted as a candidate in June 2022, following Russia's invasion of the country.
The journey towards ratification of the Rome Statute has been a long one for Ukraine. The document was initially signed by the Ukrainian government in 2000, but faced obstacles when the Constitutional Court blocked ratification in 2001, citing concerns about the ICC's jurisdiction over Ukraine's actions.
Renewed interest in ICC membership arose in 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea and occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. However, fears among Ukrainians that the ICC could prosecute their own citizens involved in the conflict led to the inclusion of a clause in the legislation stating that Ukraine would not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction over crimes committed by Ukrainian nationals.
In a significant development in 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights, over allegations of war crimes related to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Subsequently, warrants were also issued for Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army, Gen. Valery Gerasimov.
