Ministers of foreign affairs from dozens of countries, along with the leaders of Ukraine and the Council of Europe, will sign important documents in Lviv on May 9 that outline the establishment of a Special Tribunal to hold accountable those responsible for the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. These documents, the drafts of which have been made public, represent a significant step in international legal accountability for aggression.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Preparation for the Establishment of the Tribunal and International Support
According to participants, “
The Core Group notes the completion of preparatory expert work on the legal documents necessary for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which will be able to deliver justice by holding accountable those who bear the greatest responsibility for this fundamental international crime committed against Ukraine
,” the ministers stated in a joint declaration. They also emphasize the importance of broad international support: “
In order to expand international support for the Special Tribunal, the Core Group calls on other states and international organizations to join its efforts and actively support its activities
.”
In February, the European Commission reported that legal experts from the European Union, the EU External Action Service, as well as from the Council of Europe, Ukraine, and 37 other countries laid the legal groundwork for the establishment of this tribunal. This is an important step in ensuring justice for the crimes committed during the Russian aggression.
Political Support and Next Steps
In December 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to all states and officials contributing to the establishment of the special tribunal. He emphasized the need for even greater efforts to launch it and ensure its effective operation. “
More such work is needed for the tribunal to become operational and truly effective
,” he noted.
The signing of the documents is expected to take place in Lviv, marking an important step in international justice and accountability for the crimes of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.