THE HAGUE, March 17, 2022 (BSS/TASS) - Prosecutor of the International
Criminal Court (ICC) Karim Khan said on Wednesday he has issued an official
request to Russia for a meeting with representatives of relevant agencies to
discuss the situation in Ukraine.

  "The work of my Office in relation to the Situation in Ukraine will at all
times be carried out in a manner consistent with the founding principles of
the Rome Statute," he said in a statement. "We conduct our work with
independence, impartiality and integrity. I have underlined that I wish to
engage with all parties to the conflict."

   "In line with this approach, I have also transmitted a formal request to
the Russian Federation to meet their competent authorities and discuss the
current situation as it concerns my Office's mandate. It is in my view
essential that the Russian Federation actively engages in this investigation
and I stand ready to meet with them," he emphasized.

   Although Ukraine is not an ICC member, it has lodged two applications
having recognized the court's jurisdiction in respect of possible crimes
committed on its territory since November 21, 2013. On February 28,
Prosecutor Karin Khan said he planned to expand the investigation to all new
possible crimes falling under the ICC jurisdiction that were committed by any
party to the conflict. The Kremlin categorically denied Khan's words about
alleged grounds to open a case against Russia in view of the developments in
Ukraine.

   In November 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a resolution
saying that Russia was not planning to become a signatory of the ICC Rome
Statute. According to the Russian foreign ministry, the court failed to meet
the expectations and failed to become a really independent and authoritative
international justice body.