Russian President Vladimir Putin’s travel plans are once again drawing global attention as he prepares for a possible foreign meeting with US President Donald Trump, all while facing an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights.
They are accused of unlawfully deporting and transferring children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia. United Nations investigators report at least 16,221 children have been forcibly taken, with some granted Russian citizenship and placed in foster care, making reunification with their families extremely difficult. The ICC asserts Putin bears “individual responsibility” for these acts, either directly or through failure to prevent subordinates from committing them.
What Is ICC And How Does It Work?
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It has over 900 employees and a USD 228 million annual budget, with more than 100 member states, Ukraine being one of the latest to join. However, the court has no police force and relies on member nations to execute arrests. This limitation has resulted in inconsistent enforcement of warrants. The US, Russia, China, and India are not members, leaving their leaders beyond the court’s direct reach.
Global Reactions And Political Pushback
Russia rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and has issued its own warrants for ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and the judge who signed Putin’s warrant. The US under Trump sanctioned Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, and criticised the court for “illegitimate” actions against America and Israel.
The ICC lacks its own enforcement powers and relies on member states to execute arrest warrant, a step often not taken. This has allowed Putin to travel freely, including to ICC member Mongolia and non-members China, North Korea, and potentially the UAE. Of over 60 warrants issued, 30 suspects remain at large, making the court a last resort in many cases.