European Parliament members are urging the International Criminal Court in The Hague to consider issuing an arrest warrant for self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka.

According to the parliament's press service, the lawmakers state that Belarus is responsible for damage caused to and crimes committed in Ukraine, including through the regime's role in the illegal transfers of children.

The report calls on the EU institutions and member states to take all necessary steps at international level to enable the criminal prosecution of those Belarusian political and military leaders responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide.

The lawmakers emphasise that since International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, MEPs call on the ICC to consider a similar arrest warrant for Lukashenka.

The Members of the European Parliament believe that the EU Council should also expand the list of Belarusian and Russian individuals sanctioned by the EU, including those involved in forced deportations of Ukrainian children.

Additionally, the European lawmakers called on the EU to develop a strategy to preserve the independence of Belarus and facilitate its democratic transition.