Ratification of Rome Statute will not create additional risks for AFU – MP Bardina

Verkhovna Rada member from the Servant of the People faction, Maryna Bardina, does not see any additional risks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to the ratification of the Rome Statute.

She told journalists about this, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"I am convinced and I think all citizens are convinced that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will first of all defend the military. And in no case will anyone dare and should not harm the military. Therefore, with the ratification of the Rome Statute, we are postponing the possibility of any persecution for our military for the next seven years. Although such risks have existed for our military since 2013," the MP is convinced.

According to her, by ratifying, Ukraine protects its military, and will also have its rights, not just obligations before the International Criminal Court.

"Now we can have access to the trust fund of the International Criminal Court for the assistance of victims. We can apply to represent Ukraine as a judge in the criminal court. We will participate in the selection of other courts of the International Criminal Court. Very soon there will be a period when we can make amendments to the very of the Rome Statute and Ukraine, having already been a full member of the association of countries participating in the Rome Statute, will be able to propose its changes to the text," Bardina said.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on August 21, the Rada ratified the Rome Statute.

Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, MP from the Holos faction, advocated the creation of a commission on the implementation of the Rome Statute in order to remove all risks for the Ukrainian military.