Rome Statute must be reformed to hold Russia accountable – Baerbock

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court needs to be reformed to hold Russia accountable for the war against Ukraine. In particular, the international treaty should include the crime of aggression, Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, said.

“We are at a crucial moment when we can achieve what was previously impossible: to reform the Rome Statute so that the International Criminal Court can prosecute the crime of aggression. Because it is known that the current loophole in international law makes it impossible to bring Russia’s leaders to justice for breach of peace before the International Criminal Court,” Baerbock said.

The crime of aggression should not go unpunished – this is important both for Ukraine and for other countries that may be threatened by aggression from a “more powerful” neighbor, the minister said.

In addition, it is worth “boldly” reforming the European Union, which is preparing for enlargement. The UN Security Council, international financial institutions, health authorities, formats such as the G20, the WTO, etc. also need changes, Baerbock emphasized.

Currently, the International Criminal Court can hold Russia accountable for three types of violations of international law: war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. At the same time, the ICC cannot condemn the Russian Federation for the crime of aggression – the fact of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. For this, a special tribunal should be created.