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Slovakia joins Poland on MiG-29s as ICC acts
Summary
A look back at 17 March 2023, when Slovakia announced fighter-jet and air-defence donations and the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Vladimir Putin.
What did Ukraine's partners and international justice bodies do on 17 March 2023? Two developments stood out: a new pledge of warplanes and air-defence equipment, and an arrest warrant for the Russian president.
Slovakia follows Poland
On 17 March 2023, Slovakia announced that it would donate its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. It also said it would supply part of its Kub air-defence system.
The announcement came a day after Poland said, on 16 March 2023, that it would deliver four MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. That made Poland the first NATO member state to send warplanes to Ukraine. Slovakia's pledge followed within 24 hours.
The ICC issues warrants
Also on 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian president Vladimir Putin. A warrant was issued as well for Maria Lvova-Belova, presidential commissioner for children's rights.
The warrants concern alleged war crimes involving the abduction and forced adoption of children from Ukraine.
A day of two tracks
Taken together, the announcements showed military support and legal action moving in parallel on the same date. Slovakia's decision added to the aircraft commitment Poland had made, while the court's warrants targeted two named Russian officials over the treatment of Ukrainian children.
