THE HAGUE, Netherlands – International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim khan affirmed Monday that the arrest warrants issued for Russian president Vladimir Putin and five others regarding alleged war crimes in Ukraine will remain in effect even if peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine yield a settlement.
The warrants, issued by the ICC, represent a significant escalation of international legal pressure on Putin and his administration over their actions in Ukraine. Khan’s statement underscores the court’s commitment too accountability for serious international crimes, regardless of political developments. The ICC’s pursuit of these cases is unfolding amidst unprecedented challenges, including sanctions imposed by the United States and debates over the court’s future role in global justice.
khan made the remarks following the conclusion of the ICC’s weeklong annual meeting in The Hague, where diplomats, legal experts, and activists convened to address mounting pressures on the institution. The Kremlin has already dismissed the warrants as legally invalid, rejecting the court’s jurisdiction.
The prosecutor is among nine ICC staff members-including six judges and the court’s chief prosecutor-who have been sanctioned by U.S. President donald Trump for investigating U.S. and Israeli officials. These sanctions have demonstrably hampered the court’s operations across multiple investigations as demands on its resources increase.
despite these obstacles, Khan expressed optimism, citing “an enormous amount of support” received from the court’s 125 member states during the meeting. He characterized the current moment as “a very challenging, but also a very decisive time for justice and for international criminal justice.”
