EU foreign ministers approve creation of special tribunal for Russian crimes
EU foreign ministers and senior officials signed a statement in Lviv on May 9, endorsing a special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine, with Kyiv expecting the tribunal to begin work in 2026, public broadcaster Suspilne reported.
Iryna Mudra, deputy head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, announced earlier that the Lviv meeting would secure political support for transferring preparatory work to the Council of Europe for implementation, stating, “The Council of Europe will take the necessary steps to establish the tribunal”.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported that foreign ministers from 35 countries and a Council of Europe delegation attended the Lviv event.
Legal groundwork for the tribunal will be finalized in 2025, with judge and secretariat recruitment and procedural rules to follow, aiming for a 2026 launch.
Why is a special tribunal needed to punish Russia?
The International Criminal Court handles war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, but faces legal barriers in prosecuting the crime of aggression against Ukraine, necessitating a special tribunal to hold the Russian leadership accountable.
In September 2022, Ukraine urged G7 nations and partners to back the tribunal initiative, with the European Parliament receiving a proposal in January 2025 and the Netherlands offering to host it.