The term war criminal has been used by international figures to describe the Russian President - but what does it mean to be one?
When asked by reporters, U-S President Joe Biden says (March 24) he believes Vladimir Putin fits the description.
Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne echoed Mr Biden's statements (Sunday March 20), whilst announcing sanctions to ban the export of all aluminium ores to Russia.
To be described as a war criminal, a person must have first committed a war crime.
According to the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) - which sits in The Hague in Netherlands - a war crime is defined as "serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict".
The I-C-C has already started investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Russia after 39 countries provided referrals to The Hague, including Australia.
Mr Putin would have to be physically detained in order to stand trial for war crimes against Ukraine - a mammoth challenge.
Without the Russian leader surrendering himself to The Hague, there could be no formal trial or potential conviction.
