Kathrine Frich
He face war crimes charges for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
He face war crimes charges for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Putin’s New Demand? It’s About His War Crimes Charges
A new report suggests Vladimir Putin may be quietly preparing to add a controversial condition to peace talks over Ukraine, the withdrawal of the charges filed against him by the International Criminal Court.
According to Corriere della Sera, the issue is well-known behind closed doors but rarely mentioned in public.
The Elephant in the Room: ICC Arrest Warrant
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights.
Both face war crimes charges for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
The ICC stated there were “reasonable grounds to believe” Putin is personally responsible, either directly or through failure to stop the crimes committed by his subordinates.
Why the Charges Matter for Putin’s Travel Plans
Putin’s international travel has been severely limited since the ICC warrant was issued.
Even friendly nations like Brazil and South Africa, which are members of BRICS, are legally bound to arrest him if he enters their territory.
This legal threat makes it harder for Russia to participate fully in international diplomacy.
Dropping the charges could open doors literally and politically for Putin.
Not Yet Official, But Looming Over Talks
So far, this demand hasn’t been officially raised at the negotiating table, but Corriere della Sera says it could soon become a key condition.
The paper calls the issue “the elephant in the room”.
With peace talks intensifying after the Trump–Zelensky summit in Washington, timing could be everything if Putin decides to bring it up.
Putin’s Known Demands: Language, Land, and Sanctions
This potential new ask would add to Putin’s already long list of demands, which includes:
- Ukraine recognizing Russian as an official language
- Freedom of religion for the Russian Orthodox Church
- Full recognition of Crimea as Russian territory
- Ukraine giving up claims to four occupied oblasts
- An end to sanctions from the U.S., EU, and others
These demands, if accepted, would mark a significant shift in Ukraine’s sovereignty and Western unity.
Security Guarantees for Ukraine on the Table
Despite the harsh terms, Russia is reportedly open to offering security guarantees to Ukraine, possibly with U.S. involvement.
One condition would be a statutory promise from Russia not to attack any other European country again.
This offer might help soften Western resistance, but only if Putin’s more personal demands don’t derail the process.
Next Step: A Face-to-Face Between Putin and Zelensky?
After the Washington summit between Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders, the focus is now on organizing a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky.
Observers expect that’s where sensitive issues like the ICC charges could finally be discussed out in the open.
But with Putin still questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy, even getting them to the same table remains a major hurdle.
