March 17, 2023 International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Putin and Lvova-Belova. The 137 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute are required to detain Putin if he crosses the border of the state. Some countries have already confirmed that they will arrest Putin and hand him over to court (Germany, France), and some have stated that there will be no arrest (Hungary, Armenia).
Representatives of the Lithuanian executive authorities also answered the question of whether Putin and his ally will be detained if they cross the Lithuanian border on the ground or in the air.
"Undoubtedly, he would have been detained and handed over to the International Criminal Court. And I am sure that we would be proud and happy about it. Actually, the investigation was launched thanks to Lithuania," minister of justice of Lithuania Evelina Dobrovolska.
"I can say for sure that in Lithuania he would have been arrested. I would personally take care of it, don't worry. Lithuania's hand will not waver," head of the parliamentary Committee on national security and defence Laurynas Kaschyunas.
Sanctions against Russia prohibit its citizens from crossing the Lithuanian border by air but do not include land routes. Lithuanian interior minister Agne Bilotaite says they also have a solution for this case.
"It all depends on which of the departments will fix it, and then the police and other departments will work. We have well-trained employees who are ready to work in special situations," Agne Bilotaite.
"It is very important that the position of the EU countries be united in relation to this criminal," added minister Bilotite.
Lithuanian politicians believe that provocations can be expected from Putin, the purpose of which will be to show that sanctions do not work, arrest warrants are not valid, and there is no unity between the EU countries.
"You cannot be guaranteed how some semi-authoritarian country will behave," Laurynas Kasciunas.
