**US Retreats from International Justice Efforts, Leaving Ukraine’s Putin Unpunished**
In a move that has sparked alarm among human rights activists and experts, the Trump administration has withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and several other international justice initiatives. The decision comes as Russia continues to commit war crimes in Ukraine, with thousands of suspected perpetrators still at large.
**A Sharp Turn in US Policy**
The United States had previously shown unprecedented cooperation with international courts under President Joe Biden’s tenure. However, since Donald Trump returned to office, the country has retreated from these efforts. The new administration imposed sanctions on the ICC and withdrew from the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA). This center is responsible for investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
**Punishing Putin Remains Elusive**
Despite international pressure to hold Russia’s top officials accountable, the goal remains elusive. In 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova over their role in the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. However, when Putin visited Mongolia, a member of the ICC, he was not detained as required by the Rome Statute.
**International Justice: A Complex and Frustrating Process**
Experts emphasize that achieving justice through international courts can take years due to its complexity. In Ukraine, investigators often lack access to witnesses, victims, or evidence, which are located in Russian-occupied areas. This means that the number of crimes could be significantly higher than those recorded by Ukrainian law enforcement.
**A National Effort**
In the absence of international cooperation, Ukraine has opted for a national approach to investigate and prosecute Russian war crimes. Over 20 countries have now opened investigations into Russia’s war crimes, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General. However, this process is also slow and challenging, as investigators face numerous obstacles in gathering evidence.
**Will Putin Ever Face Justice?**
The question remains whether Vladimir Putin will ever be held accountable for his alleged crimes in Ukraine. While international human rights organizations and allies have called for his arrest and prosecution, the goal seems elusive. As one expert noted, “the investigation of these crimes has to go through so many levels to at least reach the perpetrators in the chain of command.”
**A Call to Action**
Experts emphasize that despite the challenges, it is essential to continue investigating Russian war crimes at the national level and work with international partners to achieve justice. As one expert put it, “we are moving at the pace we can at the national level… We are now advising prosecutors to aggregate proceedings, prioritize them, and move on to cases involving commanders.”
