The Council of Europe and Ukraine have signed an agreement to establish a special tribunal focused on the crime of aggression. This took place during a ceremony in Strasbourg. According to the Council of Europe, the tribunal must operate within the existing system of international justice in The Hague.
The President of the European Commission publicly welcomed the establishment of the tribunal. Brussels sees this step as necessary to bring justice for the war crimes Russia has committed since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
President Zelensky stressed that justice must take its course, regardless of the perpetrator’s position. Russian President Putin will ultimately have to answer before an international tribunal. According to him, other Russian leaders must also prepare for prosecution.
The special tribunal will focus on the highest crime under international law: aggression. This aspect of the tribunal is essential because existing international courts such as the International Criminal Court cannot fully address this specific crime without a UN Security Council mandate (which Russia, as a permanent member, is likely to block).
The choice of The Hague as the tribunal’s seat was confirmed by Zelensky himself. He considers it the ideal location due to the expertise present in international law and previous war tribunals.
The exact form and legal structure of the tribunal are still under discussion. Most spokespersons confirm that the establishment of the tribunal is seen as an important symbolic and legal step. It marks a growing determination within Europe to prosecute Russia in any case for their war against Ukraine.