Ukrainian President's Office Confirms Timely Nomination for ICC Candidate

Iryna Mudra, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, addressed concerns regarding the nomination process for the International Criminal Court (ICC), asserting that Ukraine has adhered to all established deadlines. In her statement, which was shared on her official Facebook page and reported by the publication 'European Truth', Mudra emphasized that the rumors circulating about Ukraine missing the nomination deadline are not true.

Despite numerous high-profile statements and political speculation, Mudra highlighted that Ukraine is following the procedure for nominating a candidate to the ICC within the established timelines. She underscored the importance of adhering to defined rules and deadlines, which is a crucial aspect of international justice.

“From March 24 to 26, 2026, the selection committee conducted interviews with candidates. Following the review, the committee noted the high professional level of the participants, their deep understanding of international law, ICC practices, the Rome Statute, as well as the appropriate standards of integrity and professional training. On April 8, 2026, the selection committee identified candidates for further nomination,” Mudra reported, emphasizing the significance of professionalism among the candidates.

She also revealed information about the primary candidate for the position of ICC judge, who is Lev Kyshakevych, a judge of the Supreme Court. The backup candidate is Oksana Senatorova, one of Ukraine's most renowned experts in international criminal law. This reflects Ukraine's serious approach to candidate nominations and its readiness to present highly qualified professionals on the international stage.

“Unfortunately, around the topic of international justice, certain political circles are once again attempting to build a non-professional discussion, rather than a typical campaign of seeking 'betrayal.' However, international procedures operate not on the logic of Facebook hysteria but on the logic of law, timelines, and decisions,” Mudra stated, pointing out the necessity for an objective approach to such important matters.

It is worth noting that on March 30, 2026, 'European Truth' reported that the International Criminal Court extended the deadline for submitting nominations for judges, in which Ukraine is also participating, until Sunday, April 12. This decision is a significant step towards ensuring Ukraine's involvement in international justice.

Since January 1, 2025, Ukraine has become the 125th full member state of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which opens new opportunities for nominating its candidates for ICC judges. The Verkhovna Rada supported the ratification of the Rome Statute on August 21, 2024, marking an important milestone in the development of Ukraine's international relations and its commitments in the field of international law.