Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the occupied Ukrainian port metropolis of Mariupol on Sunday, following a visit over the weekend to Crimea that marked the nine-year anniversary of Moscow’s unlawful annexation of the peninsula.
Putin’s shock go to to Mariupol, which was reported by Russian state information, was his first to the territory, which his navy has occupied since September.
The go to additionally marked a present of defiance from Putin, whose visits to Crimea and Mariupol come after the Worldwide Legal Courtroom (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on battle crime costs. A United Nations report launched final week concluded that the Russian military had likely committed battle crimes and crimes towards humanity throughout its battle in Ukraine.
The ICC warrant accused Putin of a battle crime for the deportation of a whole bunch of youngsters from Ukraine. Whereas Putin has not commented on the costs, the Kremlin has mentioned it doesn’t acknowledge the jurisdiction of the courtroom, that means the accusations are “null and void.”
Mariupol fell violently to Russian forces originally of the battle, after Ukrainian troops fought again advances. A bombing of a theater within the metropolis, which was housing displaced households, killed a whole bunch.
Russian information mentioned on Sunday that Putin arrived within the metropolis by helicopter after which drove himself round some “memorial websites.”
Putin’s journey additionally comes earlier than a deliberate go to to Moscow by Chinese language President Xi Jinping this week, anticipated to spice up Russia’s diplomatic standing. The Chinese language chief’s transfer has raised issues within the west concerning the tightening of relationships between Moscow and Beijing.
U.S. officers prior to now month have warned China towards offering Russia with deadly support to assist in its battle in Ukraine, after studies surfaced that Xi was contemplating the transfer. Up to now, China has refused to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine however has criticized western sanctions.
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