Armenia’s Warning to Putin: Risk of Arrest if he Visits

Armenia Stands Alone in Warrant for Putin’s Arrest

Armenia has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested if he visits the country due to an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Gagik Melkonyan, the deputy of the Armenian National Assembly, stated in an interview that Putin should be arrested if he travels to Armenia. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin earlier this year over his alleged involvement in the abduction of children in occupied parts of Ukraine. Armenia is one of the few countries that have said they would enforce the warrant.

Growing Tension Between Armenia and Russia

This statement from Melkonyan shows a growing tension between Armenia and Russia who have been long-time allies. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously cancelled joint military drills and refused to be photographed with Putin at a CSTO summit. The fall-out is mainly due to a domestic dispute regarding Russian peacekeepers failing to take an active role around the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is currently being blocked by Azerbaijani activists.

Other Countries Enforcing Warrant Against Putin

While Armenia has taken a stand against Putin, other countries have also committed to enforcing the warrant. Germany, Ireland, Austria and Croatia have already announced plans to enforce the warrant while the UK and France welcomed the ICC’s decision but did not comment on whether they would commit to arresting Putin. Hungary, a Russian ally, refused to arrest Putin despite being a signatory to the ICC’s founding treaty.

The US government has imposed sanctions on Ashot Mkrtychev, a Slovakian man who allegedly worked as a broker for Russia to purchase arms and munitions from North Korea to support its war on Ukraine. Ashot Mkrtychev arranged sales and barter deals for North Korea to ship weapons and munitions to Russia between late 2022 and early 2023 in exchange for cash, commercial aircraft, commodities, and raw materials. The specific weapons involved in the deals were not described, but US officials confirmed Russia’s readiness to receive military equipment from North Korea with senior Russian officials.

Washington’s Stepping Up Sanctions

The OFAC imposed sanctions against Mkrtychev, freezing any assets he holds within the jurisdiction of the United States and banning Americans and U.S. businesses, including banks, from having any dealings with him. This move comes as the United States steps up sanctions targeting Russia’s attempts to obtain military equipment to replenish stocks that have been depleted by the war in Ukraine. Schemes like the alleged arms deal pursued by Mkrtychev “show that Putin is turning to suppliers of last resort like Iran and [North Korea],” said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Efforts to Degrade Russia’s Military-Industrial Capabilities

The US is committed to degrading Russia’s military-industrial capabilities, as well as exposing and countering Russian attempts to evade sanctions and obtain military equipment from North Korea or any other state that supports its war in Ukraine. Concerns have been expressed by Indian officials regarding Putin’s war in Ukraine, urging against the use of nuclear weapons. According to the U.S. intelligence community, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been caught off guard by Putin’s invasion and has been dismayed by the way it is being carried out.

Armenia is taking steps to ratify the Rome Statute treaty that established the ICC, indicating the country may be willing to hold Putin accountable for his alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Despite being a part of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Armenia stands in contrast to other Kremlin allies that refuse to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin. The Russian government rebuked Armenia for considering joining the ICC, warning of negative consequences.

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