EU Urged to Activate Blocking Statute to Shield ICC from US Sanctions

Published Aug 21, 03:50 PM UTC

MEPs and several EU governments are pressing the European Commission to activate a 1996 blocking statute to prevent EU companies and banks from complying with US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, imposed asset freezes and financial sanctions on ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on August 18, 2026, accusing the court of being 'corrupt and fatally-politicised'. EU leaders, including diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Council President António Costa, have voiced strong support for the ICC. ICC President Akane had previously urged the EU to extend the blocking statute to cover the court, as the bloc seeks to counter US efforts to undermine multilateral institutions.