President Lula says Brazil will not affect ICC arrest warrant against Putin
By Daily Tab24. Updated: Sep 10, 2023.
President of Brazil has declared his opposition of arrest warrant against Putin for his invasion of Ukraine and forceful deportation of Ukrainian children by international Criminal Court. ICC in March declared they have been presented with sufficient evidences that Russia forcefully and illegally moved Ukrainian children to Russia as spoils of the war it has upper hand in.
President Lula made the statement yesterday in India, where he is officially partaking of the G20 Summit for 2023. While the statement is seen as clear opposition to the Rome Statute his country signed as founding terms of ICC, his office has rather stayed mum, passing a clear message it could be President Lula’s personal view.
“I believe that Putin can go easily to Brazil. What I can say to you is that if I am president of Brazil, and he comes to Brazil, there is no way he will be arrested” the controversial statement reads. The statement was craftily let out by Lula, who tried to view it from a personal perspective, rather than his country’s stance.
Brazil is bound by the signatory of Rome Statute to arrest Putin should he come into Brazil. Failure to arrest Putin in Brazil will amount to blatant disregard of allegiance to ICC and international laws. Russia has denied the allegation against it, saying its troops are only focused on the military operation going on in Ukraine and not taking Ukrainian children.
G20 despite pressure to completely condemn Russia has rather chosen to diplomatically approach the war of invasion of Ukraine, and there are signs Brazil helped to brokering the position of G20 that tends to favor Russia. Russia has made it clear they will not back down until the purpose of the military operation they sanctioned in Ukraine is achieved.
The statement made by Lula reflects the joint statement made by the group, which deflected blame off Putin’s Russia while calling for fairness. G20 appears to decide to be umpire instead of taking side, while calling for peace and end to war.
“We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty , international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability”
“We… welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just and durable peace in Ukraine” the joint statement said.
“The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible” the statement added.
Ukrainian President will be disappointed with the declaration of G20. Ukraine expected a direct rebuttal of the Russian invasion of Ukraine to mount pressure on Putin to withdraw his troops and give peace a chance.
Often, Ukraine picks offense when any statement, declaration or action is taken on the fence. The country has called on world leaders to stand firm with Ukraine, noting they are not the aggressors but victims.
Lula’s statement will leave an impression of support for Russia, and the West will find it a bit odd, especially coming at a time pressure is needed on Putin to force him into withdrawal of Russian troops occupying Ukraine.
