Meeting Between Putin and Trump in Alaska Unaffected by International Criminal Court's Directives
In 2025, the world watches as the leaders of four major powers - the United States, India, China, and Russia - continue to stand outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to concerns over sovereignty, jurisdictional limits, and potential political and military ramifications.
The United States, initially signing the Rome Statute in 2000, formally withdrew its signature in 2002 and decided not to ratify. U.S. concerns centre around the ICC’s potential jurisdiction over U.S. military and political personnel, fear of politically motivated prosecutions, and loss of sovereignty. The U.S. has enacted domestic laws, such as the American Service-Members’ Protection Act, restricting cooperation with the ICC and prefers maintaining control over accountability for its nationals [1][2][5].
India, too, has not ratified the Rome Statute, largely due to concerns over sovereignty and the ICC’s jurisdiction interfering with India’s internal legal system. India worries about the ICC potentially investigating its security forces or political figures and prefers to handle such matters domestically. Additionally, India has expressed reservations about the ICC’s perceived political selectivity and focus [1][5].
China, similar to India and the U.S., has not become a party to the Rome Statute. The Chinese government emphasizes the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. China also questions the ICC's jurisdictional reach and is wary of international institutions that could limit its political and military actions [1][2][5].
Russia, like the US and others, has not ratified the Rome Statute. Russia views the ICC with skepticism, partly due to geopolitical confrontation and concerns over immunity for its officials, especially in the context of conflicts involving Russian interests. Russia objects to what it perceives as the ICC’s politicization, notably highlighted by ICC investigations into situations linked to Russia or Russian-backed forces, such as in Ukraine [3][5].
As the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska sparks questions about an earlier arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for him, it is important to note that the ICC's jurisdiction does not extend to the US due to the country not ratifying the Rome Statute [4]. The US has taken legislative actions to protect its citizens from potential detention by the ICC.
Despite the US not ratifying the Rome Statute, the US has taken legislative actions to protect its citizens from potential detention by the ICC. Under George W. Bush, the US administration officially announced the withdrawal of the previous president's signature from the Rome Statute, and US legislation was amended to allow the use of force to free its citizens detained by the ICC [4].
The Russian Foreign Ministry has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the ICC, stating that it "has not lived up to the expectations placed in it and has not become a truly independent, authoritative organ of international justice" as early as 2016 [6].
Elena Sycheva, reporting.
[1] "Why Major Powers Refuse to Join the International Criminal Court." BBC News, BBC, 23 May 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52785047 [2] "The United States and the International Criminal Court." Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 22 Aug. 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/united-states-and-international-criminal-court [3] "Russia and the International Criminal Court." Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 13 Feb. 2020, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/russia-and-international-criminal-court [4] "The United States and the International Criminal Court: Background and Issues for Congress." Congressional Research Service, Congressional Research Service, 28 Jan. 2020, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF11228.pdf [5] "The International Criminal Court and the United States." Brookings Institution, Brookings Institution, 24 Jan. 2019, https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-international-criminal-court-and-the-united-states/ [6] "Russian Foreign Ministry: ICC Has Failed to Live Up to Expectations." TASS, TASS, 20 June 2016, https://tass.com/politics/865153
- The discussions on policy-and-legislation regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) engagement are at the forefront as the four major powers, the United States, India, China, and Russia, reject ICC membership, citing concerns over sovereignty, jurisdictional limits, and potential political and military ramifications.
- In the realm of general-news and politics, it is notable that despite the United States not ratifying the Rome Statute, they have enacted domestic laws, such as the American Service-Members’ Protection Act, to protect their citizens from potential detention by the ICC.
