Abstract
<jats:p>the article examines the features of the development of international criminal law at the present stage. The article considers horizontal international law-making cooperation and vertical international law-making integration, which are two processes that constitute the conventional mechanism for the development of international criminal law. Within the framework of the retrospective analysis, the evolution of international criminal liability for international crimes is shown, some prospects for the development of the conceptual and legal foundations of this liability are determined. Particular attention is paid to the political factor, which increasingly has a negative impact on international criminal law, which leads to its politicization. It is concluded that this trend demonstrates the degradation and devaluation of international criminal law, which undermines confidence in international legal regulation as an interstate system for ensuring universal interests.</jats:p>