Russia Places Zelensky on Wanted List; Ukraine: Sign of Moscow's Desperation

On Saturday, May 15, the Russian state news agency TASS reported that the country has opened a criminal case against Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, and placed him on a wanted list. In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that this action by Moscow demonstrates how desperate Russia has become in the war. The ministry pointed out that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also stated: 'Despite Russia's worthless announcements, the International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin, the dictator of Russia, for war crimes is entirely real and enforceable in 123 countries.' The statement noted that this action by Russia 'shows the desperation of the Russian state and propaganda apparatus, which has no other way to attract public attention.' Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has issued arrest warrants for several Ukrainian and European politicians. On February 18 of last year, Russian police issued an arrest warrant for Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia, as well as the Minister of Culture of Lithuania and members of the previous Latvian parliament for the destruction of Soviet-era monuments. Russia also issued an arrest warrant for the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court who had issued the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin on charges of war crimes. The International Criminal Court on March 17 of last year issued a warrant for Putin's arrest for the illegal deportation of children and their unlawful transfer from Ukraine to Russia since the beginning of Moscow's invasion. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, called the warrant 'justified' and stated that Vladimir Putin has 'clearly' committed war crimes. The United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court, but a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that Washington has 'independently' concluded that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine and supports holding the perpetrators accountable. Zelensky again called for Ukraine to join the European Union and NATO. Kremlin's claim: British and French support for Ukraine is dangerous for European security. Germany summoned the Russian embassy's charge d'affaires to respond regarding 'cyberattacks.' The U.S. stated that Russia has violated the international ban on the use of chemical weapons. The U.S. sanctioned 300 individuals and entities in connection with support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.