ArmInfo.Before the possible visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia, certain assurances are needed from Armenian partners in connection with Yerevan's accession to the ICC. Russian President Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in a conversation with Russian media representativees.
"We have already said that, the new reality associated with Armenia's accession to this international statute, of course, cannot but have a negative impact on our bilateral relations. Of course, it is very important here to receive certain assurances from our Armenian partners. This issue is still will have to be resolved within the framework of a bilateral dialogue, which is what we are determined to do," Peskov said, RIA Novosti reports.
Yesterday Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not give a direct answer to the question of British journalist Roland Oliphant of The Telegraph about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested if he arrives in Yerevan.
At its meeting on October 3, 2023, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. After the document was ratified by parliament, it was signed by the president of the country and came into force 60 days after the completion of internal state procedures. According to Armenia's representative on international legal matters, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, the ICC mainly considers crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. The Court may exercise its functions and powers, as provided in this Statute, in the territory of any State Party and, by special agreement, in the territory of any other State. Kirakosyan noted that ratification of this document will make it possible to initiate proceedings at the ICC against Azerbaijan for war crimes committed in Artsakh, where the forced deportation of the population actually took place, as well as for aggression against Armenia. Without this document, Armenia had practically no mechanisms to hold Baku accountable. On March 17 of this year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Armenian side notes that the ratification of the document is not directed against Russia. Later, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the Russian side warned their Armenian partners about the extremely negative consequences of possible accession to the Rome Statute for relations with Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry also added that Moscow considers Yerevan's plans to join the Rome Statute of the ICC unacceptable against the backdrop of warrants against the leadership of the Russian Federation