Medvedev: ICC's Decision on Putin Will Have Horrible Consequences

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. EPA
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. EPA
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Medvedev: ICC's Decision on Putin Will Have Horrible Consequences

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. EPA
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. EPA

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russia President Vladimir Putin will have horrible consequences for international law.

"They decided to try a president of ... a nuclear power that does not participate in the ICC on the same grounds as the United States and other countries," Medvedev wrote in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

"The consequences for international law will be monstrous."

Justice ministers from around the world will meet in London on Monday to discuss scaling up support for the ICC after it issued the arrest warrant for Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia since the start of the war. Moscow rejects the charge.

"We are gathering in London today united by one cause: to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine during this unjust, unprovoked and unlawful invasion," British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said on Sunday.

Several European Union countries will sign an agreement on Monday in Brussels to buy 155 mm artillery shells for Ukraine, with the first orders possibly placed by the end of May.

Ukraine has identified the supply of 155 mm shells as a critical need, with both sides firing thousands of artillery rounds every day.

In Ukraine, fierce fighting continued in the eastern town of Bakhmut with each side launching counter offensives. Ukrainian forces have held out in Bakhmut since last summer in the longest and bloodiest battle of the year-long war.



Closure of Strait of Hormuz Seriously Being Reviewed by Iran, Lawmaker Says

A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo
A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo
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Closure of Strait of Hormuz Seriously Being Reviewed by Iran, Lawmaker Says

A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo
A cargo ship is moored at the Piraeus Container Terminal, near Athens, Greece, September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/ File Photo

The closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz was being seriously reviewed by Iran, IRINN reported, citing statements by Esmail Kosari, a member of the parliament's security commission, Reuters reported.

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Oman and Iran, is the world's most important gateway for oil shipping.