Accountability for War Crimes in Ukraine is Prerequisite for Peace

Accountability for war crimes in Ukraine is essential for peace to return to Ukraine and everyone responsible should be held accountable, including russian president putin, observed President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, reported Ukrinform.

According to Ukrainian government sources as well as the United Nations and other global agencies, russia has perpetrated war crimes in Ukraine since its war began 12 months ago. The United States, among other countries, also believes russia is guilty of crimes against humanity, a higher level of heinous international illegalities. The list of crimes perpetrated by russian regulars as well as cutthroats in russian uniforms is long and shocking by any standards, and includes murder and rape of unarmed civilians and children as well as the destruction of living quarters and infrastructures.

Metsola said at a briefing in Lviv on Saturday morning, March 4, that when peace in Ukraine is discussed, accountability for russian war crimes must be part of the discussion. She believes that whoever is responsible for these crimes must pay. This means that if a jurisdiction for the crime of aggression is found, then a find legal means to implement it must be found, she said.

Metsola noted that during the meeting with Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin, she saw significant progress in the creation of the tribunal and very good proposals.

She said they would also meet with UN officials to make sure a mechanism is in place to collect evidence first and then prosecute. “We understand that in order to hold accountable for the crime of aggression, a Special Tribunal must be created,” she emphasized.

According to Metsola, it’s no longer a question of how to do it, but a question of when. She noted that all those responsible for the crimes should be held accountable, including putin, because without this peace would not return.

“And this is the fundamental reason why I am here today,” she added.

Ukraine President Zelenskyy has pledged that his country will further strengthen its relationship with the International Criminal Court.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin and all his accomplices must receive lawful and fair sentences,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Kyiv has registered more than 70,000 russian war crimes committed in Ukraine, reported EuroNews.

This position must be carved in stone by all free world countries and international organizations seeking peace in Ukraine.

While in Lviv, Metsola met with Zelenskyy and promised him that cooperation between Kyiv and the EU parliament would “only grow stronger.” She expressed hope that Ukraine would be allowed to begin European Union membership negotiations this year. Brussels granted Kyiv formal candidate status in June of last year. It had applied just days after russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, but the matter has evaporated since then.

In a Twitter post, Metsola praised Ukrainians as the “brave people who inspired the world” … “who sacrificed everything for our values.”

Zelenskyy also took to social media to thank Metsola for her “leadership in supporting Ukraine from the start of the war.”

Ukraine’s 10-point Peace & Victory Plan

Ukraine’s road to peace with triumph and honor.

A year after russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine, President Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan is again in the news and on the agenda of the United Nations. Though russia certainly opposes it, its tenets are nothing more than any self-respecting, sovereign, independent country would demand for itself.
The proposal was first enunciated by Zelenskyy last fall. Zelenskyy insisted he is seeking a just end to the russian war in Ukraine and he wanted to talk about the plan to achieve it publicly.
Zelenskyy has also been saying that Ukraine will not be forced to reach compromises in the pursuit of what Ukraine considers a just peace. The comment came in the wake of push from the broader world to Ukraine to focus on peace.
“Ukraine should not be offered to conclude compromises with its conscience, sovereignty, territory and independence. We respect the rules and we are people of our word,” said the Ukrainian president.
He further said that he suspected that Russia might use any peace as a ruse to re-equip its forces and launch an attack later as they have done in the past.
“Apparently, one cannot trust Russia's words, and there will be no Minsks-3, which Russia would violate immediately after signing. If there are no concrete actions to restore peace, it means that Russia simply wants to deceive all of you again, deceive the world and freeze the war just when its defeats have become particularly notable. We will not allow Russia to wait it out, build up its forces, and then start a new series of terror and global destabilization,” said Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy’s 10 points that he believes would bring peace to war-torn Ukraine:
1. Nuclear safety
Russia has repeatedly threatened the use of nuclear weapons through the war. Moreover, russians occupy Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe, and shelling in and around Zaporizhzhia has frequently disrupted the plant's functioning, such as blowing out its power supply, which have repeated raised questions over its safe operations and fears of a nuclear disaster.
“Russia has turned our Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant into a radioactive bomb that can explode at any moment...Therefore, Russia must immediately withdraw all its militants from the territory of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The station must be immediately transferred to the control of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agencies] and the Ukrainian personnel,” said Zelenskyy.
2. Food security
The conflict in Ukraine has disrupted world food supplies and has plunged the world in food insecurity as russia and Ukraine together are among the largest wheat suppliers to the world.
russia and belarus are also some of the largest fertilizer suppliers. The war and a blockade of sea exports has affected food production elsewhere.
3. Energy security
Russia has frequently hit Ukrainian power stations among other critical infrastructure units throughout the war, plunging parts of Ukraine into darkness repeatedly.
“About 40 per cent of our energy infrastructure were destroyed by the strikes of russian missiles and Iranian drones used by the occupiers. Every week, russia blows up our power plants, transformers, and electricity supply lines,” said Zelenskyy.
4. Release of prisoners
Zelenskyy listed that all prisoners and detainees must be released. Zelenskyy said thousands of people and around 11,000 children have been forcibly taken to russia during the war.
“Apart from the children, whose data we know, there are tens of thousands of those who were forcibly deported and about whom we know only indirectly. Among them are many, whose parents were killed by russian strikes, and now they are being held in the state that murdered them,” said Zelenskyy.
5. Restoration of territories
Zelenskyy said that occupied territories must be returned to Ukraine under United Nations norms.
“russia must reaffirm the territorial integrity of Ukraine within the framework of the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the applicable international legally binding documents,” said Zelenskyy.
6. Cessation of hostilities, military withdrawal
Zelenskyy said there must be “real and complete” cessation of hostilities.
7. Justice
Ukraine has long produced evidence of war crimes by russians, covering mass executions, sexual crimes, gendered violence, child abuse, etc. Moreover, russia has attacked civilian houses and public infrastructure throughout the war. Zelenskyy called for setting up of a tribunal for the prosecution of alleged criminals and a mechanism for the compensation for damages caused.
8. Environmental protection
Large swathes of land has been burnt by fighting and contaminated with explosives through the war. Zelenskyy said this should stop. “Millions of hectares of forest were burned by shelling. Almost two hundred thousand hectares of our land are contaminated with unexploded mines and shells...We must also find common responses to all environmental threats created by the war,” said Zelenskyy.
9. Prevention of escalation
Zelenskyy said Ukraine requires firm assurances that there would not be any escalation of conflict.
He said Ukraine was attacked as it was not a member of any alliance. Notably, if Ukraine would have been a member of NATO, then the collective defense clause of NATO would have meant that all the countries of the alliance, including the United States, would have come to military aid of Ukraine.
We need effective security assurances. That is why we prepared a draft agreement – the Kyiv Security Compact, and have already presented it to partners.
“Thus, we should hold an international conference to cement the key elements of the post-war security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic space, including guarantees for Ukraine,” he said.
10. Confirmation of war’s end
Zelenskyy said a formal declaration of the end of the war would need to be signed once all of the nine steps have been taken. “When all the antiwar measures are implemented, when security and justice begin to be restored, a document confirming the end of the war should be signed by the parties. I would like to emphasize that none of the steps above can take long. A month for one step at the most. For some steps, a couple of days are enough,” said Zelenskyy.
“The more countries of the world are involved in the Peace Formula, the more countries, especially the societies of certain large, influential countries, think about how to end the war in Ukraine - with respect for our sovereignty, with just peace - the faster it will be,” the Ukrainian president noted.
However, there is one complication that will delay peace and security in the region until it is eliminated: russia.

UNGA: Russia, Leave Ukraine!
The United Nations by a vote of 141 of the 193 member-states voiced its support of a nonbinding, though largely symbolic resolution that demanded that russian invaders cease hostilities and immediately withdraw from Ukraine.
The United Nations General Assembly yesterday, February 23, reiterated “its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and calls for a cessation of hostilities.”
Furthermore, the assembly reaffirmed “its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.”
While the resolution is nonbinding, meaning there is no enforcement behind it, it is a significant expression of the global body’s sense of disapproval of #moscow’s brutal aggression against Ukraine that began in earnest 12 months ago today. However, a 73 percent sign of support tells international community that UN member-states loudly oppose russia’s criminal, bloody belligerence.
This is not the first time that the UNGA endorsed such an anti-russian resolution. In the recent past it denounced russia for invading and illegally seizing Crimea in a wholly fabricated referendum.
Citing the principles of the UN Charter as the premise for their resolution, the member-states called on all countries of the world and specifically in this case russia to “refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations, and to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.” 
The assembly also reaffirmed that “no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal,” which includes temporarily occupied Crimea.
The assembly said it deplores the “dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the aggression” by russia against Ukraine, including the continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine “with devastating consequences for civilians, and expressing grave concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, the number of internally displaced persons and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance, and violations and abuses committed against children.” 
As a result if its inhuman brutality, russia is regarded as a war criminal and perpetrator of crimes against humanity, the highest level of global illegality.
The UNGA called for the “complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained persons and the return of all internees and of civilians forcibly transferred and deported, including children,” of which the numbers are in excess of 6,000.
The member-states also demanded an “immediate cessation of the attacks on the critical infrastructure of Ukraine and any deliberate attacks on civilian objects, including those that are residences, schools and hospitals.”
The necessary condemnations of russia’s illegal and bloody actions against Ukraine have again been presented for all to see. What remains to do is what the free world did in 1939 against Nazi Germany and Hitler.

One Year of the War that russians Began in 1069

February 24, 2022, is a day that will live in infamy. It is a day, when the bloody cutthroats from the land known as russia yet again invaded Ukraine, extending the war that began in 2014 with russia’s illegal, armed seizure of Crimea and eastern Ukrainian oblasts, and prolonging moscow’s odious imperial mission to invade, defeat, occupy and destroy Ukrainians and their Ukrainian lands that commenced in 1069. A thousand-year war – a thousand-year anything – is a difficult concept for society to wrap its arms around, but that has been Ukrainians’ reality. As President Biden declared the other day, russia’s goal is to wipe Ukraine off the map – a most monstrous objective of the most vile, demented dictators.

Peace, serenity and security – natural expectations of people anywhere – for Ukrainians were shattered in the early morning hours of that day, when russian missiles hit civilian targets, shedding innocent blood, followed by an invasion of tanks, armor and uniformed criminals and cutthroats.

February 24, 2022, is also a day that will live in glory as a testament to the Ukrainian nation’s bravery, love of homeland, patriotism and commitment in defending and preserving their country’s freedom, independence and sovereignty. Time and again Ukrainians have been called upon to heroically defend their people, culture and country, and time and again they have done so valiantly.

Despite prevailing beliefs about the might of the so-called second strongest army in the world, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, by the grace of God and their nationalistic passion, proved the foolhardy analysts wrong. Ukrainian soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors have stopped russia’s advances and even turned them back. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have become feared by russian cutthroats, inflicting more than 140,000 deaths in battle among russians. But unfortunately, to show their fearlessness, russian killers turned their attention to killing innocent, unarmed men, women and children, raping girls and women, and destroying homes, infrastructure and cultural icons. Its failed mission has been to kill every Ukrainian and all vestiges of Ukrainian culture, to erase all evidence of Ukrainians. But despite his obvious losses and failures, putin is coldheartedly sending more and more russians to Ukraine only to have the fortunate ones return to russia in body bags as many others remain in Ukraine as manure for the vast sunflower fields.

Russia’s inhuman viciousness has not gone unnoticed. The international community, in addition to providing Ukrainians with substantial amounts of needed modern weapons and other technology, has recognized russia’s brutality and labeled it a war criminal and perpetrator of crimes against humanity. In the words of many, Ukraine is not only showing its triumphant battlefield prowess but it is also defeating moscow in the court of public opinion. Every Ukrainian blue and yellow flag in the windows of homes in New York City, Toronto, London, Paris and other towns is proof of that.

The United States of America and other free world countries are committed to supporting Ukraine in its historic existential war for freedom and independence until the victorious end. President Biden said in Kyiv and Warsaw that the United States will never abandon Ukraine and it will never be a victory for russia.

And victory is within grasp of the Ukrainian nation. Led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainians captured the imagination and support of peoples and leaders around the world for the sanctified goal of defeating russia. This singular mission has united the nation, government and military.

February 24, 2022, is also a day when finally the international community has understood that not provoking russia does not guarantee global peace and security but rather defeating and dismembering that diabolical mixture of inhuman manure from many regions of Asia and Europe that calls itself russia will bring peace, security and stability. 

As we stand on the threshold of the second year of this latest violent iteration of russian imperialism and belligerence, there are lessons to be learned and tasks to be undertaken by all:

1. None of this would have occurred if the post-World War Two leaders would have heeded the warnings of Stepan Bandera, leader of the Organization of Ukrainians Nationalists, and other revolutionary leaders of the captive nations not to admit russia into the fold of peaceful democracies but rather to defeat, destroy and isolate russia for the sake of humanity.

2. We, the diaspora, in concert with other former captive nations should continue pressuring Washington, DC, to safeguard Ukraine and other Eastern European countries with all necessary military and non-military means until russia is defeated, until it surrenders, until it is dismembered into insignificant ethnic territories.

3. It is the mission and goal of all Ukrainians to ensure that russia will never be accepted as an equal partner in the brotherhood of democratic countries but that it will be reviled and detested more than Nazis and Hitler until the end of time.

4. Ukraine must be accepted as a full-fledged member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for the sake of peace, security and stability. President Biden pointed out the crucial nature of the eastern flank of NATO and Ukraine’s membership will certainly reinforce its impact and political potency.

On this day, Ukrainians and others will bow their heads in silent reflection before the Altar of Heroes – for the military service men and women, civilians and children – who made the ultimate sacrifice at the hands of russians for their fellow Ukrainians and their native country; they will salute the brave Armed Forces of Ukraine for their victories in battle against the murderous russian aggressors; and they will thank all nations and peoples of good will for their support for Ukraine.

By the grace of God and the bravery and dedication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainians will prevail, defeat the russian murderers, stabilize again their independence, statehood and sovereignty, and ensure that the world will not commemorate the second anniversary of this war.

Relaunching the Idea of an Anti-russian Bloc of x-Captive Nations

As ludicrous as it sounds, russia’s war against Ukraine not only united the nation, government and military into a powerful force in defense of Ukrainian independence and sovereignty, it is also sowing the seeds for an updated alliance or bloc of x-captive nations against russian aggression.

The last time this type of alliance was called into existence was during the Second World War.

The Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations was created as a coordinating center for the liberation of captive nations of the soviet russian empire. The ABN attributed its existence and its ideological foundations to an underground conference of representatives of non-russian peoples that took place on November 21-22, 1943, near Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on the initiative of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, and at which a platform of a joint revolutionary struggle against russian communism was formulated. The goal of the ABN was the dismemberment of the soviet union into national states – in other words, the de-colonization of the USSR.

Among the participating nations for varying periods of time have been Ukrainians, Armenians, Bulgarians, Byelorussians, Cossack, Croatians, Czechs, Estonians, Georgians, Hungarians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Slovaks, Turkestanians, Vietnamese and Cubans. Others such as Poles were regarded as kindred spirits.

Headed by Yaroslav Stetsko until his death in 1986, the ABN’s motto was “Freedom for nations; Freedom for individuals.” Its branches existed in many countries and it disbanded in 1996 after the dissolution of the soviet union.

Today the existential threat from russia is as great as it was in the 1940s.

On the eve of the first anniversary of russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine, President Biden undertook the daring and dangerous mission to personally assure Ukraine and President Zelenskyy of his and America’s unwavering support until victory over russia is achieved. This message was then taken to Poland to reassure Poles and other former captive peoples that their independence in the face of ongoing russian threats is equally important to the United States.

Biden’s yearlong commitment as well as Ukrainians’ bravery, sacrifice and dedication to victory compelled him to declare “Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands.” This maxim will have the same staying power as President Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Echoing his words about the Ukrainian capital, in Warsaw on February 21 President Biden declared: “Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall and, most important, it stands free.”

This proclamation from the leader of the free world did not fall on deaf ears in the Kremlin as putin readied his reply. Today russian rockets hit the port city of Kherson, killing six Ukrainians.

In the Polish capital, President Biden met with NATO leaders of what he referred to as the eastern flank, meaning representatives of the x-captive nations, and thanked them for supporting Ukraine and assured them that “Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never.” – in a taunt aimed at putin.

Biden noted the symbolic nature of his visit to the region by stating “We are seeing it not only as a visit paid here in Poland, it is a visit to our region combined with a visit to Kyiv. It sends a very powerful message of responsibility, which the United States of America carries constantly the responsibility for the security of Europe and the world.”

Biden’s remarks to some 30,000 Poles, Ukrainians and others in Warsaw were laced for laudatory words about freedom and democracy and the need to protect and fight for them. He spoke of the great, united international effort to help Ukraine, indicating that all free world leaders are aware that russian aggression and subjugation could spread as they have in the past. Continuing with the theme of unity, Biden said that “Over the past year, the United States has come together with our Allies and partners in an extraordinary coalition to stand against Russian aggression.”

Speaking about the brutality of russian invaders and the killings and rapes to which they’ve subjected the people of Ukraine, Biden said “No one — no one can turn away their eyes from the atrocities Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people. It’s abhorrent. It’s abhorrent.” At the same time he assured all listeners that “We’ll hold accountable those who are responsible for this war. And we will seek justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity continuing to be committed by the Russians.”

Despite putin’s aim to tear apart the unity of the North Atlantic alliance, Biden said “NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire,” adding that it remains united and strong and it is “the single-most consequential alliance, and I would argue maybe the most consequential alliance in history, that — not just modern history, but in history.”

Calling on putin to stop the war as only he could do, Biden said: “If Russia stopped invading Ukraine, it would end the war. If Ukraine stopped defending itself against Russia, it would be the end of Ukraine.
“That’s why, together, we’re making sure Ukraine can defend itself.

“The United States has assembled a worldwide coalition of more than 50 nations to get critical weapons and supplies to the brave Ukrainian fighters on the frontlines. Air defense systems, artillery, ammunition, tanks, and armored vehicles.

“The European Union and its member states have stepped up with unprecedented commitment to Ukraine, not just in security assistance, but economic, and humanitarian, refugee assistance, and so much more.”

President Biden’s speech rang loud with the concepts of unity, togetherness and coalition that now need to be given life. The ideological and structural foundations for such an alliance of x-captive nations of russian subjugation were laid in Kyiv and Warsaw. He spoke of an eastern flank of NATO. It was virtually blessed by Biden. Now all that’s missing are signatures on the dotted line. Bring that into formal existence. The former enslaved peoples’ only salvation is for them to form a regional mini-NATO, an updated Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations (ABN), that would conspicuously promote and safeguard their collective securities against russia.

The time has come for such a bloc: Freedom for nations; Freedom for individuals.

‘Kyiv Stands!’

No one could have imagined a more appropriate acknowledgment of the passing of one year since russia again invaded Ukraine and began its bloody assault to kill as many Ukrainian men, women and children, rape girls and women, destroy their homes and churches, infrastructure and all vestiges of Ukrainian culture than what took place yesterday, February 20, in the capital of Kyiv.

Perhaps in a more symbolic and historic gesture than President Zelenskyy’s sudden personal appearance and address in the US Congress, President Biden arrived during the war in Kyiv and for the world the see embraced the Ukrainian president and, more importantly, the Ukrainian nation in a heartfelt gesture of support, solidarity and friendship.

The brief, secret but historic visit by the American president, who was en route to Warsaw, sent an undeniably powerful message to friends and foes alike. It told Ukrainians, x-captive nations, allies, Europeans, Americans and the free world that the bonds between America and Ukraine have been forged of the strongest steel that will never break. The Ukrainian nation can count on America’s military and non-military support for as long as it takes to vanquish the russian terrorist aggressor.

So that there are not mistakes in moscow, that embrace seen around the world told putin and russians that when they mess with Ukraine — or other former captive nations — they’ll have to answer to the United States of America.

“Kyiv stands,” President Biden triumphantly declared in sunny Kyiv after emerging from his 10-hour train ride from Warsaw.

“Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you,” Biden continued.

The American president recognized that this latest display of russian military aggression against Ukraine, as we have said, is meant to “wipe Ukraine off the map,” which by itself is an act of genocide equal to that of Nazi Germany.

But, Biden pointed out, “Putin’s war of conquest is failing. Russia’s military has lost half its territory it once occupied. Young, talented Russians are fleeing by the tens of thousands, not wanting to come back to Russia. Not just fleeing from the military, fleeing from Russia itself, because they see no future in their country. Russia’s economy is now a backwater, isolated and struggling.”

Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided, Biden said, but he was fatally wrong. He was also wrong about the lack of unity in the western alliance.

“He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now. God knows what he’s thinking, but I don’t think he’s thinking that. But he’s just been plain wrong. Plain wrong,” he said.

Biden noted the great sacrifices made by every Ukrainian man, woman and child, but added that freedom is a worthy cause to fight and die for.

“You and all Ukrainians, Mr. President, remind the world every single day what the meaning of the word ‘courage’ is — from all sectors of your economy, all walks of life. It’s astounding. Astounding.

“You remind us that freedom is priceless; it’s worth fighting for for as long as it takes. And that’s how long we’re going to be with you, Mr. President: for as long as it takes.”

Remarkable words, observations and assurances for history to remember.

President Biden also announced additional aid that includes artillery ammunition for HIMARS and howitzers, more Javelins, anti-armor systems, air surveillance radars that’ll protect Ukrainians from aerial bombardments.

President Zelenskyy thanked his American counterpart for personally demonstrating his and American support for Ukraine and pointed out the benefits of the Peace Formula being discussed in the United Nations.

“We have common vision on the contents of many aspects of our Peace Formula, because its security elements, as well as the tasks to restore the U.N. Charter to its full capacity and to defend the international rule-based order — that’s a common, joint task for all the countries that are interested in the international security,” Zelenskyy said.

The rebuilding and the recovery of justice is also very important for all those who was affected by the russian terror, by the russian war. And the aggressor has to take responsibility for the aggression and to reimburse all the damages.

“I thank to the President of United States for supporting our work on restoring the justice more specifically in the work of all of our institutions in that area. And we believe there’s no alternatives to the establishment of the special tribunal. This is the position of Ukraine, and we shall support this position.

“And I would really like the United States to be engaged in the implementation of our Peace Formula, because its implementation would mean a reinforcement of global stability and the predictability of international relations. And we have some achievements in this area.”

If ever there was a single, momentous event that signals to friends and adversaries that the fight is over, you’ve been defeated, then it certainly was this brief, earth-shattering encounter in Kyiv, one year after russia invaded Ukraine.

Bucha 2022: Russia: Perpetrator
of crimes against humanity

Russia: Perpetrator of Crimes against Humanity

Crimes against humanity – they’re not just more meaningless malevolent appellations or accusations.

According to recognized sources, crimes against humanity represent a higher degree of criminality, even higher than a war crime.

Cornell Law School, among others pointed out that “Crimes against humanity are specific crimes committed in the context of a large-scale attack targeting civilians, regardless of their nationality. These crimes include the most egregious violations of human dignity, especially those directed towards civilian populations. Crimes against humanity have often been committed as part of state policies, but they can also be perpetrated by non-state armed groups or paramilitary forces.”

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) notes that crimes against humanity mean any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:

• Murder;

• Extermination;

• Enslavement;

• Deportation or forcible transfer of population;

• Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;

• Torture;

• Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;

• Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in paragraph 3, or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court;

• Enforced disappearance of persons;

• The crime of apartheid;

• Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.

The ICC explained that an attack is “directed against any civilian population’ means a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts referred to in paragraph 1 against any civilian population, pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy to commit such attack.”

The United States has accepted these parameters and raised the stakes against russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated today “I have determined that members of russia’s forces and other russian officials have committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Members of russia’s forces have committed execution-style killings of Ukrainian men, women, and children; torture of civilians in detention through beatings, electrocution, and mock executions; rape; and, alongside other russian officials, have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians to russia, including children who have been forcibly separated from their families. These acts are not random or spontaneous; they are part of the kremlin’s widespread and systematic attack against Ukraine’s civilian population.”

Noting that crimes against humanity represent the most egregious crimes, Blinken pointed out that “Today’s determination underlines staggering extent of the human suffering inflicted by moscow on the Ukrainian civilian population. This determination also reflects the deep commitment of the United States to holding members of russia’s forces and other russian officials accountable for their atrocities against the people of Ukraine.”

Blinken said there can be no impunity for these crimes and all perpetrators – hopefully that means that all russian cutthroats in uniforms from the lowly, baby-faced front-line criminal to generals and politicians – will be held accountable. He pledged that the United States will pursue justice for Ukrainian people “for as long as it takes.”

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference today, Vice President Kamala Harris insisted that “justice must be served” to the perpetrators. She said the international community has both a moral and a strategic interest in pursuing those crimes, pointing to a danger of other authoritarian governments taking advantage if international rules are undermined.

“russian forces have pursued a widespread and systemic attack against a civilian population — gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape, and deportation,” Harris said. She also cited “execution-style killings, beatings, and electrocution.”

Harris also pointed to the attack in mid-March on a theater in the strategic port city of Mariupol where civilians had been sheltering, which killed hundreds, and to the images of civilians’ bodies left on the streets of Bucha after the russian pullback from the Kyiv several weeks after russia invaded Ukraine.

“In the case of russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence, we know the legal standards, and there is no doubt,” she said. “These are crimes against humanity.”

“No nation is safe in a world where one country can violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another, where crimes against humanity are committed with impunity, where a country with imperialist ambitions can go unchecked,” Harris added.

The evidence about russian war crimes and crimes against humanity are incontrovertible. For all intents and purposes, the free world is on the same page about moscow’s global criminal behavior.

The UN General Assembly on October 12 passed a historic resolution by an overwhelming majority of member-states calling on countries not to recognize the four regions of Ukraine which Russia has seized, following the “forcerendums” and demanding that Moscow reverse course on its “attempted illegal annexation.”

Earlier, the UN General Assembly labeled russia an aggressor and occupant of Crimea and called for russians to leave that Ukrainian territory.

The irony of this is that Nazi Germany and Hitler, also universally recognized perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, were not offered the same indulgences as russia and putin as they wage the latest russia-Ukraine War of 2014-2023. They were eliminated quickly compared with their detested progenies.

Nota bene In a follow up to the US accusation against russia of crimes against humanity in Ukraine, the New York Daily News on Sunday, February 19, pointed out that in the USA, the designation does not go far enough.

“…It was only last month that the US closed a loophole in the 1996 War Crimes Act. Beforehand, only if the victim or perpetrator of a war crime was a U.S. person could there be a prosecution. By voice votes in both chambers, Congress, led by Rep. Jerry Nadler, got rid of the U.S. person limitation and President Biden signed the new Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act last month.

“So a Russian who commits war crimes in Ukraine can now be prosecuted by the Department of Justice. But another Russian who committed what could far worse crimes against humanity remains untouchable. Harris and Blinken are right about crimes against humanity. Now make that illegal under American law.”