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Dutch Prime Minister Pushes for Faster Progress on Special Tribunal for Russia’s Aggression
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Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has called for an acceleration in the process of establishing a Special Tribunal to address the crime of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Jetten discussed the timeline for the judicial institution, addressing previous suggestions that the tribunal might not be functional until after 2028, according to European Pravda on March 9.
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The Prime Minister noted that a preparatory group is already active and handling the specific details required for the tribunal's creation.
“Indeed, it is extremely important that we speed up this process. This is exactly what I talked about today with President Zelenskyy. It was about what the Netherlands can do so that we move forward in this very important issue,” Jetten stated.
The urgency of the matter was reinforced by Jetten’s recent meetings with former prisoners of war and children who have been returned to Ukraine after being abducted. These personal accounts highlight the human cost behind the diplomatic and military figures discussed during the visit.
The Netherlands has taken a leading role in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, recently allocating €2 million for family reunification and psychological support for children repatriated through the “Bring Kids Back UA” initiative.
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“It is their stories and their suffering that emphasize the importance of bringing to justice all those war criminals who are responsible for this,” the Prime Minister said.
According to the official state portal “Children of War,” the scale of these deportations remains staggering, with 19,546 children verified as forcibly taken to Russia or occupied territories. While international mediators have helped return 2,032 children to date, hundreds of thousands more remain unaccounted for, often subjected to Russian "re-education" programs designed to erase their Ukrainian identity.
While Ukraine has expressed a desire to finalize the organizational setup for the Special Tribunal within this year, Jetten offered a more measured outlook on the immediate timeline. He emphasized the need for thorough planning regarding the tribunal’s operations and its potential location within the Netherlands.
“As for this year, it is important for us to work out in more detail exactly how the tribunal can function and what its location in the Netherlands will be the best option. It is also important to ensure the participation of other states of the Council of Europe in this tribunal. This will allow its work to begin as soon as possible,” Jetten added.
Earlier, the Netherlands and 40 other member states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe activated a special mechanism to investigate the systemic torture and mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced the initiative on July 24, 2025, emphasizing the necessity of an independent inquiry to establish facts and ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
