EU Foreign Ministers Approve Establishment of Special Tribunal for Russian Crimes Against Ukraine

EU Ministers from the International Coalition of States for the Creation of a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine met in Lviv to reaffirm their commitment to establishing the Special Tribunal on May 9, according to an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

According to the ministry’s statement, the Coalition has been developing the legal framework necessary for the tribunal’s establishment since January 2023.

This effort aligns with the UN General Assembly’s Resolution A/RES/ES-11/1, passed on March 2, 2022, which strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The tribunal, once established, will operate within the bounds of international law and human rights, ensuring accountability for those responsible for this grave crime.

The Coalition expressed its appreciation for the legal experts and advisors involved in drafting the necessary documents.

It also acknowledged the indispensable role of the Council of Europe in facilitating the tribunal’s formation, as well as the significant contributions from the European Commission and the European External Action Service, particularly in the development of agreements between Ukraine and the Council of Europe.

In their statement, the Coalition emphasized the tribunal’s role in delivering justice and upholding international law. They called for broader international support, urging other countries and organizations to join the effort.

The next step toward formalizing the creation of the Special Tribunal will be the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which will take place in Luxembourg on May 13-14.

“Those of us representing the member states of the Council of Europe eagerly look forward to the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Luxembourg on May 13-14, 2025, which will be the next step toward formalizing the establishment of the Special Tribunal within the Council of Europe,” according to the Ministry’s statement.

In related news, Ukrainian authorities are investigating the execution of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces, according to Yurii Bielousov, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict under the Prosecutor General’s Office.

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