How to Hold Putin Accountable for War Crimes
The Russian leader may never stand trial, but a vigorous international investigation is needed to deter further atrocities.
Ukraine’s cities are under siege.
Photographer: Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images
By officially accusing the Russian military of committing war crimes in Ukraine, President Joe Biden’s administration has seemingly confirmed the obvious. Vladimir Putin’s troops have so far attacked apartment buildings, hospitals, shopping centers and schools during their invasion of Ukraine. They’ve cut countless Ukrainians off from food, heat, electricity and running water. Thousands of civilians have been wounded or killed.
Despite Biden’s off-the-cuff remark Saturday that Putin “cannot remain in power,” it remains at best uncertain Putin will ever be ousted, let alone face justice for atrocities committed in Ukraine. Even so, the U.S. was right to put the idea on the table: A vigorous war-crimes investigation into this conflict is now essential.