This is reported by Kyiv24
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on July 15 adopted a decision to ratify the agreement with the Council of Europe regarding the establishment of a Special Tribunal that will investigate the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This step marks the next phase in the fight to hold accountable those involved in crimes during the Russian aggression.
Features of the Agreement and International Support
The agreement to establish the tribunal was signed on June 25, 2025, in Strasbourg by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić. The document opens the possibility for participation in the support and administration of the tribunal not only by member states of the Council of Europe but also by countries outside the organization, as well as the European Union.
The Special Tribunal will operate within the framework of the Council of Europe and will have the authority to prosecute the senior leadership of the aggressor state for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This will enable the international community to respond more effectively to violations of international law and ensure justice for the victims of war.
International Context and Importance of the Decision
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of establishing the tribunal and the signed agreement, highlighting that it provides a real tool for holding accountable those responsible for aggression against Ukraine. He pointed out the lack of similar opportunities in other international institutions, stressing the need to demonstrate that aggression will inevitably lead to punishment.
“Other institutions, even international ones, do not have the necessary tools for this, and we must clearly show that aggression leads to punishment,” said the President of Ukraine.
It is worth noting that in March 2024, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the Russian children’s ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to the Russian Federation. These events underscore the relevance of establishing a special tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression and establish justice.