WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States hopes Russia's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not lead to the body’s downfall, State Department spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order on Russia’s non-participation in the Rome Statute of the ICC.
"I wouldn’t be in a position to say this decision by Russia is some sort of a death knell for the court, we certainly hope that it isn’t," Kirby stated.
The United States is not a member of the ICC, Kirby explained, but supports the courts prosecutions when they advance US interests.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday Russia’s decision to not participate in the Rome Statue was driven by the country’s national interests.
