International Criminal Court opens Ukraine war crimes investigation

• The launch of the inquiry could pave the way for participants in the conflict to potentially be tried at The Hague.
• ICC prosecutor Karim Khan was able to expedite the launch of the inquiry following referrals from 39 countries.

The big picture: The timeline covered by the inquiry will stretch back to Nov. 21, 2013 — the first day of the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine that ultimately led to the overthrow of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, and later Russia's interventions in Crimea and Donbas.

What they're saying: "[I]n its preliminary examination of the Situation in Ukraine, my Office had already found a reasonable basis to believe crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court had been committed, and had identified potential cases that would be admissible," Khan said in a statement.

• "With an active investigation now underway, I repeat my call to all those engaged in hostilities in Ukraine to adhere strictly to the applicable rules of international humanitarian law."