Q: Regarding Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia this week, what is the attitude of France, a member State of the International Criminal Court, to the fact that the visit might go ahead without an arrest?
Does the doctrine of immunity for acting heads of State apply?
Is it better for the Russian President to travel, insofar as it may encourage negotiation on the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine?
A: Each State party to the Rome Statute has an obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court and execute the arrest warrants it issues, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute.
True to its long-standing commitment to combat immunity, France will continue to lend its support to the essential work of the international courts to ensure that those responsible for all the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine are held accountable. It lends its full support to the ICC and to the Ukrainian courts working towards that goal.
Originally published at https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/international-justice/news/article/q-a-extract-from-the-press-briefing-2-sep-2024