US EditionZelensky and European Rights Body Establish Tribunal to Allow Prosecution of Russian Leaders
- On June 25, 2025, in Strasbourg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Alain Berset, the head of the Council of Europe, finalized an agreement to create a dedicated tribunal responsible for trying senior Russian officials for initiating aggression against Ukraine.
- The tribunal responds to a jurisdictional gap since the International Criminal Court cannot prosecute political and military leaders for the decision to launch the invasion due to limited authority over crimes of aggression.
- The tribunal will be composed of 15 judges selected by a body representing participating countries, will adhere to international legal norms including the European Convention on Human Rights, and aims to complement the ICC’s efforts in ensuring accountability for perpetrators.
- President Zelensky emphasized the necessity of robust political and legal collaboration to ensure that all Russian war criminals, including Putin, are held accountable, calling for unity and the consistent application of international law without exceptions or double standards.
- The tribunal aims to support Ukraine's documentation of harm, potentially impose reparations, and establish accountability as a foundation for lasting peace in Europe, despite challenges including enforcing custody of accused leaders.
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More and more Ukrainians are returning from Russian prisoners of war, where many have been tortured and abused. Kiev wants to bring the crimes to a special tribunal. That will bring little, according to critics.
Programme Officer (Ukraine) At Legal Action Worldwide
ABOUT LAW Founded in 2013, Legal Action Worldwide is an independent non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists, united in our belief that those who have experienced grave human rights violations and international crimes, should receive targeted, survivor-centred, gender-competent, and trauma-informed support to access the justice they deserve. LAW’s teams work in/on conflict-affected and fragile contexts across 18 coun…
This week, Ukraine saw its allies recall their support in Kiev, both at the NATO and European Union Summits, and Volodymyr Zelensky was able to sign an agreement on the establishment of a special court for the crime of aggression against Ukraine with the Council of Europe. However, on the ground, Russian aggression is still ongoing.
Zelensky: agreement with the Council of Europe for a special court for Ukraine
Russia has criticised the agreement signed between Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and the European Council to establish a special court for Ukraine, the Russian diplomat saying that Moscow will consider its decisions...
Russia has criticised the agreement signed between Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and the European Council with a view to establishing a special court for Ukraine, the Russian diplomat stated that Moscow will consider the decisions of this future court to be "no and no," reports AFP.
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