Borrell: EU condemns Russia’s threat to use force against ICC

The European Union reaffirms its full support for the International Criminal Court and remains committed to defending the Court from any outside interference, the EU’s top diplomat said in a statement published on Thursday.

“The European Union condemns the illegal threat by a high-ranking Russian representative to use force against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its host country, the Netherlands. It also deplores the measures announced by Russia against the ICC Prosecutor and Judges involved in the issuance of arrest warrants against Russian representatives,” reads the statement by Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

In a press release a day before, referring to the threats against the ICC and the measures against the prosecutor and judges, the ICC’s management and oversight body said it “regrets these attempts to hinder international efforts to ensure accountability for acts that are prohibited under general international law.” The press release did not name names – who was threatening it? – and even used “situation” as a euphemism for Russia’s all-out war on Ukraine.

Undoubtedly, the “high-ranking Russian representative” Borrel mentioned is Russia’s Security Council deputy chairman, Dmitry Medvedev. He was unequivocal in his reaction to the issuance of an arrest warrant by the ICC for his chief on the council, Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“Alas, gentlemen, everyone walks under God and missiles,” Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel, addressing ICC judges, on Monday. “It is quite possible to imagine a pinpoint application of a hypersonic carrier from a Russian ship in the North Sea at the Hague court building. Alas, it cannot be shot down. And the court is just a miserable international organization, not the population of a NATO country. Therefore, they will not start a war. They will be afraid. And no one will be sorry. So, Your Honors, keep a wary eye on the sky…”

Photo: Virginia Mayo (AP) via Radio Liberty