Ukraine's parliament ratified the Rome Statute on Wednesday, according to officials, enabling the country to become a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move is seen as crucial for Ukraine's path towards European integration. Ukraine has previously acknowledged the ICC's jurisdiction, but full membership is essential for its goal of eventually joining the European Union. It will also empower Ukrainian authorities to more effectively prosecute suspected Russian war criminals in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia, as stated by lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko.
The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, for their alleged involvement in crimes against Ukrainian civilians. Russia denies targeting civilians. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized on X that Ukraine has already collaborated effectively with the ICC to ensure accountability for all Russian atrocities during the aggression. This collaboration is expected to become even more effective with full membership.
Senior presidential adviser Iryna Mudra revealed in a June interview with Reuters that the ratification process was delayed due to a disinformation campaign suggesting that Ukrainian troops might face increased legal risks. Kuleba characterized Ukraine's pursuit of ICC membership as a challenging journey filled with myths and fears, none of which have proven true. Lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak noted that deputies received supportive letters from Ukraine's General Staff and the head of Kyiv's military intelligence prior to the vote.
