Ukraine is on the brink of becoming the 125th member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a bill to ratify the Rome Statute. The court, established in 2002, prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.
Despite previous opposition from the Ukrainian army fearing prosecution, pressure from the EU has led to the government finally considering joining the ICC. The move is seen as a step towards European integration and a way to strengthen Ukraine’s position diplomatically.
Immunity for seven years
Ukraine plans to invoke Article 124 of the Rome Statute to grant immunity to its citizens from ICC prosecution for war crimes for seven years. This decision will also affect Russian soldiers committing war crimes on Ukrainian soil, allowing Ukraine to prosecute them in its own courts.
The implications of this move on existing ICC arrest warrants against Russian leaders, including President Putin, remain to be seen. The ratification process and subsequent submission to the UN must still take place before Ukraine officially becomes an ICC member.