(CNA) Ukrainian officials cheered the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) today to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin's "illegal deportation" of Ukrainian children to Russia.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court said it had also issued an arrest warrant for Russian presidential commissioner Maria Alexeyevna Lvova-Belova in connection with children's rights, AFP reported.

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Russia is not a member of the ICC, and it is unclear how the ICC plans to enforce the warrant.

"The whole world has received a signal that the Russian regime is criminal and its leaders and cronies will be held accountable," Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said on social media.

"This is a historic decision for Ukraine, and for the entire system of international law," Kirstin said.

"World leaders should think twice before shaking his (Putin's) hand and sitting down for negotiations."

Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's chief of staff to the presidency, said today that the move was "just the beginning".

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also welcomed the news.

"The wheel of justice is starting. I applaud the ICC's decision," he said. "International criminals will be held accountable for child theft and other international crimes." 1120318