Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. | Photo credit: AP
Ukraine’s parliament voted on Wednesday (August 21, 2024) to ratify the Treaty of Rome, allowing the country to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), officials said. Ukrainian leaders have described the move as central to Kiev’s European aspirations.
Ukraine has recognised the ICC’s jurisdiction in the past, but full membership of the court is a key part of Ukraine’s quest to join the EU.
According to MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, this would allow authorities to “more effectively punish” suspected Russian war criminals amid Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for their roles in alleged crimes against Ukrainian citizens. Russia has denied targeting civilians.
“Ukraine is already working effectively with the ICC to ensure comprehensive accountability for all Russian atrocities committed during the Russian aggression,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X.
“This work will now be even more effective.”
In an interview with Reuters in June, senior presidential adviser Irina Mudra said the ratification process was stalled because of a “misinformation campaign” that incorrectly suggested it would be easier to prosecute Ukrainian soldiers.
Kuleba described Kiev’s bid for ICC membership as “a long journey filled with challenges, myths and fears. None of these are true.”
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said lawmakers were handed letters of support from Ukraine’s General Staff and Kyiv’s military intelligence chief ahead of the vote.