Ukraine agrees to join the ICC and will also consider EU membership

Amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine’s parliament voted on Wednesday to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move aligns with Kyiv’s goal of seeking justice for alleged Russian war crimes during the invasion of Ukraine.

The ICC, which prosecutes serious offenses such as genocide and crimes against humanity, can issue arrest warrants within its 124 member countries, which are obligated to enforce them.

Ukraine had previously signed the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, in 2000 but had not ratified it due to concerns that Ukrainian soldiers might face prosecution. However, this issue has now been addressed.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed the ratification as “historic,” noting that Ukraine has become the 125th member of the ICC. He credited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Foreign Ministry, and Ukrainian lawmakers for their roles in this achievement.

Kuleba emphasized that this step underscores Ukraine’s commitment to international justice and will enhance efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions. He also mentioned that this ratification marks a significant move toward Ukraine’s European Union membership aspirations.

The ratification included a controversial provision, Article 124, which provides a seven-year exemption from prosecution for Ukrainian citizens regarding war crimes, according to ruling party lawmaker Yevgeniya Kravchuk. She stated that this ratification would not only facilitate the prosecution of Russian officials but also contribute to Russia’s increasing isolation.