How do you think the threat of prosecuting Vladimir Putin affects negotiations over in Ukraine and indeed the possibility of negotiations? I think that plays out. It may make it more difficult at one level, but at another level, it may make it much easier. The most notorious case is General Colwald, who was the number two to Heinrich Himmler. He reached out through indirect means to a man called Alan Dulles, who later become the head of the Central Intelligence Agency. And essentially he said, look, if you take me off the list for what will become Urenburg, I will support you bringing this war to sooner rather than later.
On the 17th March 2023, just over a year into Russia’s war in Ukraine, the International Criminal Court issued two arrest warrants. One for Vladimir Putin and one for Maria Lvova-Belova, whose title is Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. Some viewed these arrest warrants as a fundamental point of progress and justice in the war. Others raised concerns about the feasibility and potential consequences of prosecuting a sitting head of state.
Throughout history, leaders accused of war crimes have faced varying degrees of accountability and Putin’s case raises important questions about legal frameworks, the role of international institutions like the International Criminal Court, and the challenges involved in holding high-ranking officials responsible for their actions.
On this episode of the podcast, we analyse the implications of prosecuting Putin for war crimes - with Philippe Sands, lawyer and author of East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity - and Daniel Krcmaric, academic and author of The Justice Dilemma: Leaders and Exile in an Era of Accountability. Our host is journalist and academic Philippa Thomas.
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