U.S. withdrawal from war crimes group may aid Putin
The United States is withdrawing from the international group dedicated to pursuing Russian war crimes in Ukraine. This could impact efforts to hold Vladimir Putin accountable.
The USA has decided to withdraw from the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, reports the "New York Times." This group, which the United States joined in 2023 under President Joe Biden, was aimed at holding Russia and its allies—such as Belarus, North Korea, and Iran—accountable for their full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. Department of Justice has unofficially informed European partners about its withdrawal from the group's activities. Official confirmation of this decision is expected to be sent to Eurojust, the institution overseeing the group's activities, via email.
The "New York Times" notes that this move signals further distancing by the Trump administration from efforts to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for war crimes in Ukraine.
Limitation of American Activities
The USA was the only non-European country participating in the group's activities. It collaborated with Ukraine, the Baltic countries, and Romania, sending a prosecutor from the Department of Justice to The Hague.
The "New York Times" also reported a reduction in work by the American War Crimes Accountability Team, which was established in 2022. This decision might affect further efforts to hold war criminals accountable.
