Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Ms. Khrystyna Hayovyshyn

on agenda item 74

(Report of the International Court of Justice )

(11 November 2025)

 

Madam President,

We welcome the President of the International Criminal Court to this Assembly and his comprehensive and thoughtful presentation of the Report.

The International Criminal Court stands as a cornerstone of our shared commitment to justice. It gives hope to victims, brings accountability to perpetrators, and reminds the world that even in the darkest times, the rule of law must prevail.

Ukraine deeply values the ICC’s vital role in addressing the crimes committed during Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. Today, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on Ukrainian territory are being investigated by Ukraine, by partner states, and by the ICC itself. We continue to work closely and effectively with the Court to ensure full accountability for every Russian atrocity.

We particularly welcome the active work of the Court on investigation of situation in Ukraine and six arrest warrants for Russian nationals already issued and look forward to seeing more arrest warrants for Russian nationals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

For more than three and a half years, Ukraine has faced the full spectrum of Russian brutality. One of the most horrific examples is the systematic torture and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. Over a hundred Ukrainian soldiers have been executed after capture — and the number continues to grow.

These are not isolated acts of violence. They are part of a deliberate and coordinated policy. And impunity for such crimes cannot, and must not, be tolerated under the Rome Statute. We trust the ICC will act with determination to ensure justice.

At the beginning of this year, Ukraine officially became the 125th State Party to the International Criminal Court. Ratifying the Rome Statute was not only a crucial step toward our integration into the European Union — it was also a powerful declaration of principle. Ukraine stands firmly for a world governed by law, not by force.

All States Parties to the Rome Statute, and those recognizing the Court’s jurisdiction, are duty-bound to comply — to arrest and surrender those subject to ICC warrants, without exception and without delay.

Together with all States Parties and with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, we must do everything possible to defend international law and to prevent dangerous precedents that would weaken it.

The ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine is a part of our actions to promote international law and a part of the state policy of ensuring accountability for core international crimes. The harmonization of the jurisdictional regime for all four core crimes is a logical continuation of the mentioned state policy of Ukraine.

Earlier this year, during ASP special session, we supported the idea of the harmonization of the jurisdictional regime for all four core crimes, as we believe that they can strengthen the legal system for future cases of aggression, to better uphold the commitment to impartial justice and international law.

And the same reason brought us to the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

A Special Tribunal is there to complement the current competence of the ICC, not to interfere with it. And we call upon all Member States, which support the idea of the harmonization of the jurisdictional regime for all four core crimes, to join the Special Tribunal as a step towards universalization of international Criminal Law.

On our part, Ukraine continues to provide the OTP-ICC with all necessary support to carry out a full, impartial, and comprehensive investigation, in line with the principle of complementarity.

In this turbulent time, it is crucial for Ukraine, and for the integrity of international justice, to preserve the capacity of the ICC field office in Kyiv. We therefore call on all States Parties to continue their strong and practical support for the Court’s work in Ukraine, ensuring that justice remains within reach for every victim of aggression.

Colleagues,

Russia’s full-scale invasion continues to challenge not only Ukraine’s survival but also the very foundations of the international order. Justice must not lag behind aggression. We trust that the ICC will continue its vital work to expose the crimes of the Russian regime and hold those responsible to account.

Ukraine calls on all nations to support the Court in its mission — to ensure justice, to uphold the rule of law, and to reaffirm that even in war, humanity must not be lost.

Thank you.