EU responds to Medvedev’s ICC rant
Josep Borrell (Photo:REUTERS/Johanna Geron)
The EU condemns threats made by a high-ranking Russian official to use force against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its host country, the Netherlands, the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell said in a statement on March 23.
The message doesn’t spell out which “representative” it refers to, but it most likely is Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council and former president Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev recently threatened to use force against the International Criminal Court, after ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Borrell said the EU reaffirms its full support for the ICC.
“Any retaliatory measure against those involved in the work of the ICC is unacceptable,” the statement reads.
“In leading the fight against impunity, the ICC must be able to work independently and impartially.”
“The EU will continue to advocate for the universality of the Rome Statute and invite all States that have not yet done so to consider joining the ICC to end impunity for the most serious crimes,” Borrel concluded.
Earlier, Dmitry Medvedev said in a Telegram post “one can definitely imagine” targeted use of Onyx hypersonic missile by a Russian ship in the North Sea against the ICC compound in The Hague.
In addition, when commenting on the words of the German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen, about Berlin's readiness to comply with the ICC’s decision, Medvedev threatened to strike at the Bundestag.
The ICC issued arrest warrants on March 17 for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russia’s children’s ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their involvement in the unlawful removal of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation since Feb. 24, 2022.
The Kremlin dictator can be arrested on the territory of 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute, said Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin.
According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the court’s ruling implies that there will be no negotiations with the present Russian leadership and no lifting of sanctions.
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