Ukraine live briefing: Putin’s ICC arrest warrant is justified, Biden says
Washington PostMar 18, 2023
Biden and Zelenskyy Welcome Putin Arrest Warrant Issued by ICC
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Image copyright: Getty Images [via New York Post]
The Facts
US and Ukrainian leaders Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy both welcomed a decision from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Friday. Putin, as well as Russia’s commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, are accused of unlawfully deporting children from Ukraine.
In his comments to reporters on Friday, Biden said the ICC decision was "justified" and that Putin has "clearly committed war crimes in Ukraine." Biden said: "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."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin has clearly committed war crimes in Ukraine. This is a welcome move from the ICC, and hopefully, justice can be dealt with in a timely manner, in spite of the obstacles.
Pro-Russia narrative
Not only is the ICC void in Russia, but it's also clearly a biased and politicized court that only serves the collective West. The fact that this decision came in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War is an irony that's evaded them.
