Zelensky Signs Agreement with Council of Europe
Aims to Establish Tribunal by 2026, Empowered to Indict Russian Leadership
"We Must Show That Acts of Aggression Lead to Punishment"
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, and Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, are having a conversation after signing the agreement to establish a special tribunal for the invasion of Ukraine at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, France, on the 25th (local time). Photo by AFP
A special tribunal to prosecute high-ranking Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for the invasion of Ukraine could be established as early as next year.
According to France 24 and AFP, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine signed an agreement to establish such a special tribunal with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, France, on the 25th (local time).
This special tribunal, which aims to be established by 2026, will have the authority to indict the Russian leadership for crimes related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The crime of aggression applies to government or military leaders who invade another country or attempt to exercise political or military control. In theory, President Putin would also be subject to prosecution.
After signing the agreement to establish the special tribunal, President Zelensky emphasized, "We must clearly demonstrate that acts of aggression lead to punishment, and this is something all of Europe must achieve together." He added, "There is still a long way to go before justice is served. It will take time, but it must be accomplished. Every war criminal must know that justice will be done, and Russia is no exception."
Ukraine has long called for the establishment of a special tribunal to address the judicial limitations of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in prosecuting Russia's war crimes. European foreign ministers expressed their support for the creation of the tribunal at a meeting held in Ukraine on the 9th of last month.
Previously, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Putin on charges such as the abduction of civilians during the war in Ukraine, but it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute the broader act of aggression itself.
Meanwhile, at the Council of Europe, President Zelensky also stressed the importance of close cooperation between Europe and U.S. President Donald Trump. He stated, "We need a strong connection with him (Trump)," and added, "Unity between Europe and the United States is necessary, and if we achieve that, we can win."
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