Kyiv’s accession to The Hague tribunal is hailed as a bold step toward justice – and a diplomatic gambit to tighten pressure on Russia.
In a momentous development hailed by human rights advocates and legal scholars alike, Ukraine has officially become a full member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), cementing its commitment to the rule of law and significantly enhancing its capacity to prosecute war crimes.
The move, confirmed by The Hague on Friday, marks a historic milestone in Kyiv’s pursuit of international legitimacy and justice as it continues to resist Russian aggression on the battlefield and in international forums.
Ukrainian officials described the decision as “long overdue” and “a powerful symbol of our sovereignty and international integration.” President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the nation, framed the accession as “not only a legal act but a moral one — a message to the world that Ukraine will never abandon the principles of justice, even in the face of war.”
A Legal Battlefield Beyond the Front Lines
Ukraine’s ICC membership provides a powerful new tool in its campaign to hold Russian officials and military commanders accountable for alleged atrocities committed since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022. While the court had already been investigating possible war crimes in Ukraine under a special jurisdiction agreement, full membership gives Kyiv greater procedural rights — including the ability to refer cases and participate more fully in the court’s proceedings.
“This elevates Ukraine’s voice and legal muscle within the international justice system,” said Dr. Anna Turchenko, a Ukrainian legal scholar based in The Hague. “It’s about more than just securing convictions — it’s about establishing a durable, lawful framework for how nations respond to aggression in the 21st century.”
Since 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea, Kyiv has consistently sought ways to use international legal mechanisms to challenge Moscow’s actions. The ICC’s investigation, launched in 2022, has focused on a wide array of alleged crimes — including attacks on civilians, forced deportations, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
In 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin himself — a stunning legal blow, though largely symbolic given Russia’s non-cooperation with the court and Putin’s immunity from arrest within most of the Global South.
Nonetheless, Ukraine’s formal accession is being read in Moscow as a clear signal that Kyiv intends to intensify its legal campaign — even as the war on the ground grinds on.
Russia’s Bitter Response
The Kremlin responded with predictable fury. A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of “instrumentalising international institutions for political gain” and declared that Moscow would not recognise any jurisdiction from a “Western puppet court.”
Russia, like the United States and China, is not a party to the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. It withdrew its signature in 2016 after the court classified the annexation of Crimea as an occupation. Since then, Russia has accused the court of selective justice and anti-Russian bias.
But such complaints are unlikely to deter Ukraine’s strategy. Officials in Kyiv view ICC membership as a central plank of their diplomatic and moral offensive — a means not only to pursue justice for past crimes but also to shape the narrative of the war on the world stage.
Europe’s Quiet Applause
In European capitals, the reaction to Ukraine’s accession has been one of quiet encouragement. While several EU states — including France and Germany — strongly support the ICC’s work, others such as Hungary and Poland have been more reticent about the court’s growing authority.
Still, most diplomats agree that Ukraine’s decision sends an unmistakable message: that the country sees its future firmly aligned with Western legal and political institutions, rather than the opaque and authoritarian tendencies of its eastern neighbour.
“This is another milestone in Ukraine’s European journey,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “It strengthens the global system of accountability and demonstrates Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to democratic values.”
Justice, But Not Overnight
Despite the fanfare, experts caution against unrealistic expectations. The ICC, by design, is a slow-moving institution. Its trials can take years, even decades. Evidence collection in an active warzone is perilous and complicated. And the court’s lack of enforcement powers means that any convictions depend on the willingness of states to act.
But for Ukraine, the symbolism may be as important as the substance.
“This is Ukraine planting its flag firmly in the territory of international law,” said Professor Helen Grant, a former ICC advisor. “Even if justice takes years, the message is clear: aggression and impunity are not the final words.”
With Ukraine’s accession, the ICC has gained not only a new member but also a front-line state determined to make international justice more than just a principle — but a weapon of war in its own right.
