Hungary blocks EU statement supporting Putin's arrest warrant
Hungary blocked a joint statement that the European Union member states planned to publish regarding the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This was reported by the British agency Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the situation, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
Because of Hungary's veto, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, after a meeting of the EU Council at the level of foreign ministers, issued a statement on his own behalf, according to which the European Union “took into account” the ICC warrant.
“The EU views the ICC decision as the beginning of the process of holding Russian leaders accountable for the crimes and atrocities they order, allow or commit in Ukraine. The EU also expresses its support for the investigation of the International Criminal Court prosecutor in Ukraine and calls on all Member States for full cooperation,” Borrell also said.
In addition, 26 EU justice ministers approved a separate statement supporting the International Criminal Court's decision on Monday. Hungary did not sign it either.
The text contains even harsher language. In particular, politicians expressed “strong” support for the ICC and called the Russian military defense in Ukraine a “war of conquest” that “flagrantly violates” international law.
Bloomberg suggests that Budapest will show a special position during the meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, which will be held on March 23-24. In the draft statement following the summit, which the publication has seen, there is wording on the ICC decision, similar to Borrell’s words.
It said the European Council “takes into account the arrest warrants” issued against Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvovskaya-Belova. However, several EU leaders will push for stronger language on the issue, as some have already personally welcomed the ICC ruling, the sources said.
Как reported “PolitNavigator”, March 20, Hungary refused to participate in the EU project to purchase a million artillery shells for Kyiv.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.