The New York Times reported March 17 that the United States is withdrawing from the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA), created to hold Russia accountable for its invasion and seizure of territory in Ukraine. "The US authorities have informed me that they will conclude their involvement in the ICPA by the end of March," Michael Schmid, president of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (EuroJust) told the Times.

The organization was launched by EuroJust in 2023 to assist Ukraine in prosecuting parties responsible for orchestrating the crime of "aggression" against Ukraine, facilitating information-sharing across international law enforcement and judicial bodies. The group is also tasked with documenting crimes and preserving crucial evidence.

The Biden administration collaborated with the organization by providing monetary support and appointing US prosecutors to help with the work of the ICPA.

The funding cut-off comes as the White House has shifted course in US foreign policy on Ukraine, with President Donald Trump insisting on directly brokering a bilateral peace deal with Russia, regardless of the wishes of the Ukrainian government.

Simultaneously, the Trump administration and Ukraine have seen relations sour, with the US refusing to co-sponsor a resolution reaffirming a commitment to “the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” The US drafted a resolution titled "The Path to Peace," describing the invasion as a "conflict" instead.

The UN General Assembly has condemned "Russian aggression" in Ukraine multiple times, citing violations of the UN Charter, and various breaches of international obligations for countries at war. Direct force against another state is prohibited under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, stating "all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state..." Resolution 3314 of the General Assembly defines aggression as the "use of armed force by a state against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another state."

Amnesty International last month urged that any peace deal must prioritize justice for victims of international crimes.

From JURIST, March 17. Used with permission.

See our last report on war crimes accusations against Russia.

See also our feature, "Ukraine's Difficult Path to Justice."