EU joins ICC in condemning Trump sanctions on court officials

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, imposing sanctions on its staff. The court added it would continue providing "justice" to millions around the world, and called on its members to stand united.

Trump has authorized economic and travel sanctions against individuals involved in ICC investigations of U.S. citizens or allies, including Israel. The move mirrors actions taken during his first term.

Amid widespread criticism of Trump's move – and some support, notably from Israel and Hungary – European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen warned that the sanctions risk endangering the search for justice in Ukraine. 

Here's what you need to know.

What does Trump's executive order mean?

An executive order published on the White House website on February 6 states that the ICC has "abused its power" by issuing "unwarranted arrest warrants" for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The order emphasizes that neither the U.S. nor Israel is a member of the ICC or a signatory to the Rome Statute. "Neither country has ever recognized the ICC's jurisdiction, and both are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war," Trump stated.

Under the sanctions, ICC officials will have their assets in the U.S. frozen, and both court personnel and their family members will be barred from entering the country. The order also prohibits any financial contributions to the court. The US has not yet disclosed which individuals will be subject to these measures.

In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC accused them of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Gaza war, which was sparked by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The warrants were sought by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.

The court also issued arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders, all of whom have since been killed, but has so far only rescinded the warrants for two of them.

What was the ICC's response?

The ICC responded on Friday, strongly condemning the sanctions and urging its member states to defend the court's independence. It described the US actions as a "direct attempt to undermine its impartial and judicial work."

"The Court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world," the ICC said in a statement.

"We call on our 125 States Parties, civil society, and all nations of the world to stand united for justice and fundamental human rights," it added.

Court officials convened meetings in The Hague on Friday to discuss the implications of the sanctions, a source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The court has taken measures to shield staff from possible U.S. sanctions, paying salaries three months in advance as it braces for financial restrictions that could cripple the war crimes tribunal, sources told Reuters last month.

In December, the court's president, Judge Tomoko Akane, warned that sanctions would "rapidly undermine the court's operations in all situations and cases, and jeopardize its very existence."

Why does the EU say this could affect Ukraine?

Donald Trump's decision to sanction the ICC risks endangering the search for justice in Ukraine, the European Commission has warned, expressing full support for the tribunal's independence and impartiality.

Since March 2022, the ICC has been investigating allegations of war crimes in Ukraine and has issued arrest warrants for six high-ranking Kremlin officials, including President Vladimir Putin, who is accused of ordering the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.

"The ICC guarantees accountability for international crimes and gives a voice to victims worldwide. It must be able to freely pursue the fight against global impunity," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.

Ukraine believes the ICC's work on Russian war crimes will continue, Kyiv's foreign ministry said on Friday.

"We are convinced that the ICC will continue to fulfil important functions in Ukraine's case, in particular bringing Russian war criminals to responsibility," foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said at a press briefing in Kyiv.

"We know that relations between the U.S. and ICC have a long history," Tykhyi added.

Russia does not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is not a party to its statute, making U.S. sanctions against the court "not our concern," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question from TASS.

"We are not a party to the Rome statute. Accordingly, we do not recognize the ICC. This concerns the Americans – they have their own stance on the ICC, and it is not our business," the Kremlin representative said.

The United States, China, Russia and Israel are not members of the ICC.

How have other countries and groups reacted?

Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council of EU leaders, wrote on the social media platform Bluesky that sanctioning the ICC "undermines the international criminal justice system as a whole."

The Netherlands, where the court is based in The Hague, also expressed regret over the sanctions.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other EU leaders said on Friday that Trump was wrong to impose sanctions on the ICC.

"Sanctions are the wrong tool," said Scholz. "They jeopardize an institution that is supposed to ensure that the dictators of this world cannot simply persecute people and start wars, and that is very important."

France reaffirmed its support for the ICC and pledged to mobilize with its partners to ensure that the court can continue its mission in an independent and impartial way, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday.

Britain also supports the independence of the ICC and has no plans to sanction its officials, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Friday.

Who has supported Trump's move?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar expressed support for Trump's executive order.

Israeli victims of the Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war will still work with the ICC, a lawyer for the victims and their families said on Friday. 

While sanctions may complicate dealings with the ICC, Israeli families are determined to continue engaging with it as part of their efforts to seek justice, said Yael Vias Gvirsman, a lawyer representing over 350 victims and their families.

"Sanctions could complicate the communication channels between Israeli citizens and the court, but victims are even more committed to having direct contact with the court and pursuing the justice they deserve," Gvirsman said in an interview with Reuters.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch ally of Trump, said the sanctions show it may be time for Hungary to leave the ICC.

"It's time for Hungary to review what we're doing in an international organization that is under U.S. sanctions! New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump-tornado," he said on X.