The European Union (EU) has expressed deep regret over the United States’ announcement that it would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (UCM) as an institution, and called on Washington to withdraw the measures.
In a statement issued on behalf of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, it was emphasized that the UCM is one of the fundamental elements of the rules-based international order. It was noted that, under the principle of complementarity, the Court steps in only when states are unable to investigate genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
The statement recorded that threats against Court officials, staff, and those cooperating with it are unacceptable, while noting the postponement of the sanctions’ entry into force. The EU stated that it stands ready to take all necessary measures to protect the Court’s independence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions decision after former UCM judge Navi Pillay won the “2026 Nobel Peace Prize,” stating that Americans would not be allowed to be tried by the UCM. In August, the Washington administration imposed sanctions on judges and prosecutors, including UCM President Tomoko Akane.
Background
The US is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: over the past 90 days we have published 36 stories featuring this name; the most recent is dated October 9, 2026.