Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky urges allies to ensure ‘evil’ Russia is held to account for ‘every act of terror’ as justice ministers meet in London after issuing of arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin
- More than 40 nations are being represented at today’s Lancaster House summit
- International allies meeting in support of ICC’s probe into Russian war crimes
Justice ministers from around the world are gathering in London today after the issuing of an arrest warrant for Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
More than 40 nations will be represented at the Lancaster House meeting in support of the International Criminal Court’s investigations into war crimes in Ukraine.
The ICC’s unprecedented issuing of an arrest warrant for Mr Putin – the first to target a leader of one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – has been hailed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a ‘turning point’.
He last night insisted ‘evil’ Russia will be ‘held accountable for every act of terror’ against his countrymen.
The Lancaster House summit is being hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Dutch justice minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius.
Vladimir Putin made a defiant visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian port captured by Russia, at the weekend following the issuing of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last night insisted ‘evil’ Russia will be ‘held accountable for every act of terror’ against his countrymen
The Lancaster House summit is being hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab (pictured) and Dutch justice minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius.
Britain is boosting its financial support for the ICC, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, to £1million this year and other countries are also expected to commit to financial and practical assistance.
Mr Zelensky is due to open today’s meeting via videolink and, in an address to Ukrainians last night, he praised the ICC’s issuing of an arrest warrant for Mr Putin.
‘The evil state will be held accountable for every act of terror against Ukrainians,’ he said. ‘This week has finally brought a truly significant international legal result for Ukraine, for justice.
‘There is a warrant of the ICC for the arrest of the Russian leader, and this is a turning point. The moment after which it becomes undeniable that the end of this aggression for Russia will be the full range of its responsibility.
‘Responsibility for every strike on Ukraine, for every destroyed life, for every deported Ukrainian child. And, of course, for every manifestation of destabilisation of the world caused by Russian aggression.’
The ICC has issued the warrant for Mr Putin over Russia’s alleged deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children during the conflict.
Kyiv says more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia since the start of Mr Putin’s invasion, many of them placed in institutions and foster homes.
The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights.
The ICC’s 123 member states are now obliged to detain and transfer Mr Putin if he sets foot on their territory.
But the Kremlin has dismissed the move against the Russian President as ‘outrageous and unacceptable’.
Mr Putin made a defiant visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian port captured by Russia, at the weekend.
He is also welcoming Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Moscow today.
Ahead of the Lancaster House gathering, Mr Raab – who is Justice Secretary as well as Deputy PM – said: ‘We are gathering in London today united by one cause to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion.
‘The UK, alongside the international community, will continue to provide the ICC with the funding, people and expertise to ensure justice is served.’
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