Arrest Warrant Issued for Putin by International Court Over Ukraine War Crimes Transcript

The International Criminal Court at The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes implicating him in the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children during the war. Russia has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying it’s rescuing the children and the country does not recognize the ICCs jurisdiction. Cristian Benavides reports.

He’s clearly committed war crimes.

President Biden, reacting to the arrest warrant issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin by the International Criminal Court at The Hague. The ICC accused Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the country’s Commissioner of Children’s Rights, of war crimes. The court says Russia is kidnapping Ukrainian children and reeducating them as Russians. Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky said so far only 300 children have been returned out of more than 16,000 cases. Russian propaganda claims they’re saving them. Watch as this family is reunited. They were apart for four months. These Ukrainian children were taken by Russia after being trapped in occupied territory. Olga Lopatkina is their mother. “Every day they turn the children against us,” she says, adding that Russia told them, “your parents abandoned you. You probably do not need such parents. Here you will have a better life.”

The ICC is doing its part of work as a court of law. The judges issued arrest warrants. The execution depends on international cooperation.

Moscow does not recognize the court’s authority and denied allegations. Putin will not be arrested if he stays in Russia, but if he travels to any of the 123 countries that are members of the International Criminal Court, international law dictates the country must arrest him. Cristian Benavides, CBS News.