Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan's ratification of the Rome Statute now legally binds Armenia to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he enters the country. This development follows Putin's first international trip to Kyrgyzstan since an ICC arrest warrant was issued against him. Putin's trip included a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ahead of the CIS summit. The ratification of the Rome Statute comes amidst Putin's expressed readiness to visit Armenia, given a 'normal' situation, and underscores the escalating tensions between Russia and Armenia in the context of the Ukraine crisis.
The Armenian President approved the ratification of the Rome Statute. It means that Yerevan is now obliged to arrest Putin if he arrives in the country. By the way, as recently as yesterday, Putin declared that he was ready to visit Armenia "when the situation is normal". https://t.co/Ygic0DDfoW
⚡️Armenian president ratifies ICC Rome Statute. Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan ratified the International Criminal Court's Rome Statute, Armenia's Presidential Office announced on Oct. 13.
The Armenian president has signed a law ratifying the Rome Statute and recognizing the ICC’s legal authority. https://t.co/mGOsTg8GZD
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan approved the ratification of the Rome Statute. Putin, welcome to Yerevan! 🇦🇲 https://t.co/bvWZGhrqsz
⚡️Putin visits Kyrgyzstan in first trip abroad since ICC arrest warrant. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Oct. 12 and met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ahead of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit. https://t.co/UJjAj53oaW