Skopje, 23 March 2023 (MIA) - We support the International Criminal Court and the arrest warrant issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin despite the existing controversies. No one can go unpunished if crimes against humanity are committed, although this sometimes lasts very long, years and decades, said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday.

FM Baerbock told a joint press conference with host Bujar Osmani that no one is above the UN Charter.

"The European peace order is not only attacked by bombs in Ukraine but also by the fact that Russia is not prepared for peace. It does not want to put the OSCE means at disposal so that people who are committed to peace in Europe can earn their salary. This clearly shows why the German Federal Government finds it important to support Ukraine, not only through military assistance but also through all institutions focusing on peace. This is very important for OSCE and we are helping with additional funds as do other countries. In this way, we defend the UN Charter and that is why the ICC was set up - so that all crimes do not go unpunished but to demonstrate that no one is above the UN Charter, no one is above humanitarian law," noted Baerbock.

FM Osmani said North Macedonia unequivocally condemned the unprovoked and unjust Russian aggression in Ukraine since day one and is the fourth-largest NATO member to provide humanitarian and military assistance per capita.

"The country has joined all ten sets of EU sanctions against Russia and is 100-percent aligned with the Union's foreign and security policy. It has condemned crimes, especially on civilian infrastructure and population, and the need for those who committed the crimes to be held responsible," said Osmani.

Last week, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, "allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute)". A similar warrant was issued for Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.