Biden supports International Criminal Court arrest warrant on Vladamir Putin committed to war crimes

President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin who he believes has ‘committed war crimes.’ 

‘Well, I think it’s justified. But the question is – it’s not recognized internationally by us either. But I think it makes a very strong point,’ Biden told reporters gathered on the south lawn of the White House on Friday. ‘He’s clearly committed war crimes’, he later added.

The U.S separately concluded that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine and supports accountability for perpetrators of war crimes, a State Department spokesperson said. 

‘There is no doubt that Russia is committing war crimes and atrocities (in) Ukraine, and we have been clear that those responsible must be held accountable,’ they added.

‘This was a decision the ICC prosecutor reached independently based on the facts before him.’

The ICC move obligates the court’s 123 member states to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. 

The ICC also issued a warrant on Friday for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, on the same charges.

The court’s shock notice came hours after other news with the potential to significantly impact Russia’s war on Ukraine, including a Moscow visit from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and more fighter jets for Kyiv’s forces. 

Source of data and images: dailymail