Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Mariupol amid an ICC arrest warrant and Nazi comparisons has caused controversy. The ICC issued a warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes just a day prior to his visit. Mariupol, a city heavily damaged since the war began last year, has been a focal point of allegations of war crimes, including the bombing of a drama theater sheltering women and children. Ukrainian official Mykhailo Podolyak likened Putin’s visit to Mariupol to Hitler visiting the scene of his crimes, calling it “cynicism & lack of remorse”. Despite the arrest warrant, it is unlikely Putin will face charges as long as he remains in power. The conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces has extended to major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Odessa, and most recently intensified in Bakhmut.
Putin’s Mariupol Visit Brings Hitler Comparisons Amid ICC Warrant
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mariupol on Saturday was met with controversy, as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes just a day earlier.
The Ukrainian official Anton Gerashchenko compared Putin to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, as the Russian leader visited the scene of his alleged crimes in Mariupol. The city has been heavily damaged since the war began in February 2022. In a tweet, Gerashchenko said, “Another dictator also visited Mariupol once. We know how his story ended.”
Mariupol is a strategic seaport on the Azov Sea and was seized during the Nazi occupation of Soviet Ukraine from 1941 to 1943. The city suffered severe damage during this time, and as many as 1 million Russians were killed by Nazi Germany in the region.
Fast forward 80 years, and Mariupol once again experienced similar abuses, as Putin’s forces launched heavy offensives last year, leaving thousands of residents without basic necessities like food, water, and utilities. Allegations of war crimes were centered on Mariupol, which fell to Russia in May 2022. A drama theater sheltering women and children was bombed by Russian artillery, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.
During Putin’s visit, he was briefed on reconstruction efforts by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, according to state television. However, the visit was met with criticism as the ICC issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest over alleged war crimes, with Gerashchenko likening Putin’s visit to Mariupol to Hitler’s visit to Army Group South HQ in 1941.
The controversy surrounding Putin’s visit to Mariupol was compounded by his visit to Crimea, where he celebrated the ninth anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine. Amnesty International has accused the Russian Federation of human rights violations and a crackdown on dissent in Crimea.
Despite the allegations against him, Putin continues to deny any involvement in war crimes. The ICC warrant marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with many hoping that justice will be served.
Putin Visits Mariupol Despite ICC Warrant and Nazi Comparisons
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mariupol has been met with backlash, as an ICC arrest warrant was issued for him just one day prior over alleged war crimes. A Ukrainian official, Mykhailo Podolyak, likened Putin to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler for visiting the site of his alleged crimes in Mariupol.
The city has been heavily damaged since the war began last year, with allegations of war crimes centered on Mariupol, which fell to Russia in May 2022. A drama theater sheltering women and children was bombed by Russian artillery, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. Putin’s visit to Mariupol has been criticized as “cynicism & lack of remorse” by Podolyak.
Despite the ICC arrest warrant, it is unlikely that Putin will face charges as long as he remains in power. However, experts see the warrant as a positive move. The ICC relies on member nations to carry out arrests, and those accused could easily avoid traveling to countries where they could be turned over.
The conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces has extended to major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Odessa, and most recently intensified in Bakhmut.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian foreign affairs ministry for comment but has not received a response.
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