Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the International Criminal Court Sunday for issuing an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The comments came the day before the Russian leader hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The ICC charged Putin with war crimes, although Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court and is not likely to turn Putin over on the charges.
Nevertheless, Zelenskyy claimed the charges were a “turning point” in the war and show the international community is recognizing atrocities committed in the Russia-Ukraine war, which reached its one-year milestone last month.
“The evil state will be held accountable for every act of terror against Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said during a nightly address. “This week has finally brought a truly significant international legal result for Ukraine, for justice. There is a warrant of the International Criminal Court for the arrest of the Russian leader, and this is a turning point.”
VLADIMIR PUTIN VISITS CAPTURED UKRAINIAN CITY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE INVADING
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech during the joint press conference with Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres following their meeting on March 8, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey/Getty Images)
The Ukrainian leader also said the warrant marks an “undeniable” moment that Russia will be held accountable for alleged war crimes over this past year.
“The world understands what is happening. The world sees how bravely and nobly our people are fighting,” he continued.
Putin and Russia will be held “responsible for every strike on Ukraine, for every destroyed life, for every deported Ukrainian child… And, of course, for every manifestation of destabilization of the world caused by Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy said.
FILE – Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin enter a hall for talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. (AP…
