EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas Visits International Criminal Court, Reaffirms Support for International Justice
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on October 23, 2026, to reaffirm the European Union’s support for international justice and discuss challenges confronting the global judicial system.
During the visit, Kallas met ICC President Tomoko Akane, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan and Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler. The discussions provided an opportunity to exchange views on the court’s work, its institutional responsibilities and the importance of continued international cooperation in addressing serious crimes under international law.
The visit comes at a critical time for the ICC, which investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression under its jurisdiction. The court operates under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the institution and defines its legal mandate.
Kallas’s visit was intended to demonstrate the European Union’s continued commitment to the ICC and the broader international justice system. The EU has consistently supported accountability for serious international crimes and cooperation with judicial institutions tasked with investigating violations of international law.
The meeting also took place amid growing international debate over pressure on the ICC and the consequences of sanctions imposed against the institution and individuals associated with its work. Such measures have raised concerns among supporters of international justice about the ability of investigators, prosecutors and court officials to carry out their responsibilities without political or economic interference.
During a European Commission press briefing on October 23, a spokesperson described Kallas’s visit as an expression of the EU’s unwavering commitment and solidarity with the ICC and international criminal justice. The spokesperson also confirmed that the High Representative would meet the court’s president and registrar in The Hague.
Questions were raised during the briefing about whether the European Union would activate its blocking statute to protect the ICC from the consequences of United States sanctions. The Commission spokesperson said there was no new position to announce on that issue at the time.
The EU’s blocking statute is a legal instrument designed to counter certain effects of specified foreign extraterritorial legislation on European Union operators. Whether and how it could be applied in connection with sanctions affecting the ICC remains a separate policy and legal question.
The ICC’s work has become a focal point in debates about the enforcement of international law, particularly when investigations involve politically sensitive conflicts or individuals holding positions of power. Supporters argue that independent international courts are essential to ensuring accountability, while critics in some countries have questioned aspects of the court’s jurisdiction and proceedings.
The European Union has continued to advocate for international cooperation with the court and for the principle that serious international crimes should be investigated through established legal mechanisms. Its engagement with the ICC also reflects the EU’s wider emphasis on multilateral institutions and a rules-based international order.
Kallas’s visit underscored the EU’s intention to maintain dialogue with the court as it confronts institutional and diplomatic challenges. The discussions in The Hague form part of continuing engagement between European officials and international judicial bodies on accountability, cooperation and the protection of independent justice.
No new sanctions-related policy announcement was made during the visit. The immediate outcome was a reaffirmation of political support and an exchange of views on the challenges facing the ICC, with the wider questions surrounding sanctions and institutional protection remaining unresolved.
