Ukraine Demands Enforcement of ICC Warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova

Mariana Betsa, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the urgent need to enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued in 2023 against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. In an interview with Ukrinform, Betsa argued that mere condemnation of Russia's actions is insufficient and called for intensified international sanctions alongside diplomatic mediation. She highlighted the critical role of mediator countries, specifically thanking Qatar, the Vatican, and the United States, noting the active involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump. Betsa revealed that while over 2,000 Ukrainian children have been returned from captivity, more than 20,000 remain held in Russia or occupied territories, with 1.6 million children still exposed to Russian propaganda in occupied zones. She stressed the necessity of a clear roadmap for the International Coalition to ensure each member nation understands its commitments. Betsa described the return of each child as a complex operation involving rescue from harsh conditions, abuse, and torture, asserting that these children must be returned unconditionally rather than through prisoner exchange lists.