International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Putin on war crime charges

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday on charges of war crimes.

The International Criminal Court said Putin and another Russian official were involved in the abduction of thousands of children from Ukraine. The news comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine over the past few days.

News of the arrest warrant comes as Putin prepares to host the Chinese president in Moscow next week – a visit the US says will be closely monitored.

“This means a lot — speaking out against Russia’s brutal aggression,” President Joe Biden said.

Biden hosted the Irish prime minister at the White House on Friday, and the two leaders renewed their pledge of support for Ukraine.

“We will stand with Ukraine as long as the need arises,” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said.

The international community is stepping up its support for Ukraine.

On Thursday, Poland’s president said his country planned to supply Ukraine with about a dozen fighter jets. Hours later, Slovakia announced it was sending 13 of its own jets.

A Kremlin spokesman said on Friday the planes would not change the outcome of the conflict – adding that the warplanes would be destroyed.

“Russia is running out of capabilities and friends,” said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

He added that while the international community is united in support of Ukraine, Russia is also seeking China’s support.

Moscow has denied the allegations, calling them outrageous and unacceptable, and the ICC has said it is now up to the international community to execute the arrest warrants because it does not have its own police force.