Washington sanctions ICC over Putin warrant, allies rally behind court

The United States announced financial sanctions on the International Criminal Court, barring transactions with the court after a six-month grace period. Canada, several European governments, Japan, and the U.K. defended the ICC and criticized Washington's decision. The court had issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in 2023 over the transfer of Ukrainian children.

Washington's measures bar dealings with the Hague-based court once a six-month window ends, and firms that continue engaging with it may face U.S. penalties. The court, established in 2002, examines genocide, war crimes, and related offenses. Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and the U.K. jointly defended the court.

The ICC's 2023 warrants targeted Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova over the movement of Ukrainian children from occupied territory into Russia. Earlier, the Trump administration had sanctioned individual ICC judges. Trump has objected to ICC scrutiny of U.S. military conduct and to the court's Israel-related actions; in 2024, warrants were issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant over alleged Gaza war crimes.