🟨 Moscow and Washington attack the ICC. Kyiv and Brussels defend it

Warrants against Putin and Netanyahu are driving Russia and the U.S. to intensify attacks on the International Criminal Court.

🟨 Russia demands the extradition of ICC judges

On 8 October 2026, Russia officially demanded that the Netherlands extradite ICC President Tomoko Akane and eight current and former judges and prosecutors.

A Russian court had previously sentenced them in absentia to lengthy prison terms.

This is a direct response to the ICC’s March 2023 arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children, as well as warrants targeting other senior Russian officials.

🟨 US sanctions against the ICC

On 9 October, the Trump administration imposed sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court as an institution, restricting transactions and access to resources.

The decision was announced just hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Washington justifies its actions as a defence of “sovereignty” and a response to the Court’s arrest warrants, including the one for Benjamin Netanyahu.

🟨 Ukraine and Europe stand with the ICC

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated: "For Ukraine, the ICC is a vital institution in our efforts to ensure accountability for Russian atrocities and justice for the victims and survivors of these crimes."

The European Commission called the US sanctions "deeply regrettable" and said it was ready to take measures to safeguard the Court’s functioning.

Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and other countries reaffirmed their unwavering support for the ICC and the principles of international law.

[Sources: Ukraine’s MFA, Reuters, The Kyiv Independent]