US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially announced the launch of a massive campaign aimed at dismantling the International Criminal Court (ICC). Washington views the activities of this international body as a direct threat to national security and as "waging war" against the United States, not through military means, but through the force of international law.

Ultimatum to Allies: Choose Between the Court and Money

The Donald Trump administration has issued strict demands to partner countries. Washington is requiring states, including many EU members, to officially reject the ICC's jurisdiction to prosecute US citizens. Otherwise, allies risk losing American financial aid.

A State Department representative warned that countries refusing to reject the court's authority will come under close scrutiny. Essentially, the US is forcing the world to choose: cooperation with international justice or maintaining economic ties with Washington.

"Dismantling Brick by Brick"

In his article, Marco Rubio outlined radical methods to achieve these goals. He stated that the US government will use all available tools to dismantle the ICC, "if necessary." The arsenal of pressure will include:

  • Complete diplomatic isolation of the institution;
  • Bans on travel for court personnel;
  • Visa cancellations;
  • Imposition of strict economic sanctions.

Rubio characterizes the ICC as a tool of political struggle, run by "smug globalists" and hostile governments of third-world countries united by hatred towards the US.

History of the Conflict and International Resonance

The conflict between Washington and The Hague is not new. It intensified during Trump's first term when the court began investigating the actions of US military personnel in Afghanistan. Recently, tensions have escalated due to the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Interestingly, the ICC is not only disliked by the US. In Russia, where the court's judge and prosecutor were sentenced in absentia to prison terms for issuing a warrant for Vladimir Putin, the organization is also considered hostile. Nevertheless, 125 countries around the world continue to support the Rome Statute. Ukraine, which ratified the charter in August 2024, remains among them, despite pressure from Washington.