“The accusations against Russia of the alleged ‘annexation’ of children are unfounded”

“This body has been discredited for a long time.” The ambassador of Russia in Peru does not hesitate to condemn the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against the president Vladimir Putinaccusing him of war crimes for the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children, many of whom have been naturalized and given up for adoption.

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, which only affect the image of the international court more and show its “double standards”. “The ICC has embarked on the path of self-liquidation,” he says.

Children play in Russian pastor Roman Vinogradov’s house outside the Siberian city of Novosibirsk on March 10, 2023. – Russian pastor Roman Vinogradov and his wife Yekaterina have a huge family of 16 children, including 4 of their native and 12 fostered ones. Five of these children have recently arrived from eastern Ukraine, controlled by Russian troops. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) (ALEXANDER NEMENOV /)

-How do you consider the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against President Putin?

We regard this as a regrettable step, which shows the complete loss of authority and independence of the International Criminal Court, a non-UN and limited membership structure. Many states are not part of the ICC, for example Russia, China, India, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and others. What is most surprising is that the United States and Ukraine, which so zealously embraced this ICC decision, are not either. The open bias, lack of professionalism, corruption and double standards of the ICC are no secret to anyone. This body has long been discredited. It executes the political orders of its sponsors.

The ICC has no jurisdiction over Russia and its citizens. We consider any document issued by this body as illegal and void.

In addition, we start from the universal norms of international law, according to which high-ranking State officials enjoy absolute immunity. The decision of the International Criminal Court cannot reverse this.

-Although Russia is not part of the ICC, do you think that this decision affects the image of the country?

As I already told you, such a decision will only affect the image of the ICC. Everything indicates that the ICC has embarked on the path of self-liquidation, mainly in terms of authority and international recognition. We are not alone in reaching this conclusion. Let me quote former US national security adviser John Bolton in 2018: “We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, in every way, the ICC no longer exists.”

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin, charging him with war crimes for the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children. (Photo: AFP) (VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH /)

-The arrival of Ukrainian children in Russia has been considered a “forced Russification” and a war crime. Why have these minors not been returned to their families? Will these children return to Ukraine once the military operation ends?

To answer your questions, you have to understand which children it is. In the context of the irresponsible and aggressive policy of the Ukrainian authorities, with endless shelling against civilian infrastructure (including kindergartens, schools, schools and children’s hospitals) in Donbas, more than 500 children were killed or injured between 2014 and 2022. The heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, even before the start of the special military operation in February 2022, decided to evacuate civilians, including children, to the territory of the Russian Federation. Arranging the lives of children from new regions and Ukraine was carried out and is carried out at their request and with their consent, in their favor and taking into account their special needs in full compliance with international and Russian law .

By February 27, 2023, about 4.5 million people had been evacuated to Russian territory, of which about 690,000 were children. The vast majority of evacuated children arrived in Russia accompanied by their parents, guardians and trustees. Among the evacuees there were also orphans and minors who were left without parental custody. The Russian side has never and does not prevent children from maintaining contacts and communicating with their relatives and friends, regardless of their place of residence, and helps them return to Ukraine if they have relatives there.

The and are only speculations, which are explained by the intention of the Western elites and press to denigrate all the actions of our country, including the sincere concern for the minors affected by the Ukrainian bombings, and to distort the facts, using the ignorance of most of the international community of Russian realities.

Igor Romanchenko is Russia’s ambassador to Peru. (Photo: El Comercio) (CARLOS CUADROS/)

Source: Elcomercio