Yerevan’s Participation in Rome Statute Strains Armenia-Russia Relations – Zakharova

MOSCOW – Yerevan’s decision to participate in the Rome Statute “against the background of quasi-orders” issued by The Hague for the arrest of several Russian officials is causing tangible harm to Russian-Armenian relations, both symbolically and practically, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

“Our attitude toward the ICC is well known, as is our view on Armenia’s decision to join this so-called ‘body.’ This is no secret to our Armenian colleagues,” Zakharova stated during a press briefing on Wednesday. Her remarks were in response to Yerevan’s recent declaration of readiness to cooperate with the ICC to strengthen international legal norms.

Zakharova expressed skepticism about Armenia’s collaboration with the ICC, suggesting that while the goal of strengthening international legal norms might seem understandable, “the practice of two decades of this pseudo-court’s work suggests otherwise.”

In her view, the ICC has failed to resolve any conflict it has addressed. “Moreover, its track record includes numerous violations of international law, basic standards of justice, and common sense. Statements of support and readiness to cooperate only embolden this so-called ‘court’ for further misguided actions,” Zakharova asserted.

Armenia formally joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) in February 2024.