Russian ally warns Putin: Don't visit him or you'll be arrested

Sputnik/Sergei Karpukhin/Pool via Reuters

The ruling party of Armenia has warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin comes to Armeniathe country will have no choice but to arrest him.

Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged allegations War crimes in Ukraine, in particular his alleged involvement in the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. But the ICC does not have the power to enforce its warrants, and since Russia does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction, much of its enforcement will depend on the willingness of other countries to step in if Putin travels.

“If Putin comes to Armenia, he should be arrested… It is better for Putin to stay in his country,” Gagik Melkonyan, deputy of the Armenian National Assembly, said this week, according to a Moscow times Translation of an interview with factor.am. “If we enter into these agreements, we must fulfill our commitments. Let Russia solve its problems with Ukraine.”

The decision by Armenia’s ruling party, which is part of a Russian-led collective defense organization, stands in stark contrast to other Kremlin allies, who have not shirked loyalty to Moscow. Hungarywhich has close ties with Russia, announced last week that it would not execute the ICC’s arrest warrant against Putin.

Though Armenia is technically a Russian ally — as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) — Armenia’s decision is just the latest sign that the country is ready to take matters into its own hands and hold Putin accountable pull. Just last week, Armenia took steps that will pave the way for that ratify the Rome Statutethe treaty that established the ICC.

Team Putin melts down over international arrest warrant

The Kremlin chided Armenia for entertaining the idea of joining the Statute of Rome, according to a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“Moscow finds official Yerevan’s plans to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court totally unacceptable in the light of the ICC’s recent illegal and void ‘arrest warrants’ against the Russian leadership,” the source said earlier this week. according to TASS.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that if it continues, there would be “extremely negative” consequences for Armenia.

But Armenia is not alone and other countries are joining forces plans to arrest Putin. Ireland, Croatia, Austria and Germany have each pledged to enforce the arrest warrant.

The decision in Armenia suggests that more than a year into the conflict, Russia’s allies are becoming more willing by the day to question Moscow’s judgment on the war in Ukraine.

Indian officials have expressed concern over Putin’s war in Ukraine. warns against conflicts And the use of nuclear weapons in war. Chinese President Xi Jinping was also taken by surprise by Putin’s invasion and dismayed at the way he was carrying it out. according to US intelligence.