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UK, Moldova and Germany Join 11 Nations Backing Special Tribunal for Ukraine
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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Ukraine and the European Union held a high-level ministerial meeting in Kyiv, marking the diplomatic and legal cooperation, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a press release on March 31.
Co-chaired by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, the event served as a definitive signal that the European Union remains focused on Ukraine’s victory despite shifting global headlines and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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The Special Tribunal and Bucha Accountability The proceedings began with a symbolic visit to Bucha, where ministers honored victims of the Russian occupation. Andriy Sybiha emphasized that accountability is a concrete pillar of any future peace.
The visit culminated in a major diplomatic breakthrough—Germany, the United Kingdom, and Moldova officially declared their readiness to join the agreement establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. Currently, 14 nations have signed on, with Sybiha urging colleagues to expand this list beyond the legal minimum of 16 to ensure global legitimacy.
Addressing the ministers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored that peace cannot exist without the restoration of justice. He called for the immediate adoption of the 20th sanctions package, which has faced delays in Brussels.
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Sybiha echoed this sentiment, stating that a “security first” approach must replace “business as usual,” specifically targeting Russian shadow fleets and oil infrastructure.
A central point of discussion was the €90 billion ($104 billion) Ukraine Support Loan, currently blocked by a single member state of Hungary. Sybiha expressed confidence that the first tranches would be unlocked soon to sustain Ukraine’s energy and defense sectors through 2027.
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In a historic first for the EU ministerial format, a dedicated session was held on veteran policy. Minister for Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova, alongside human rights defender Maxim Butkevych, presented strategies for the reintegration of those returning from Russian captivity.
The meeting concluded with a visit to the Pivnyk charity fund, where Kallas and Zelenskyy reviewed medical initiatives providing specialized hearing restoration surgeries for Ukrainian soldiers.
The latest drive to unlock the €90 billion support loan follows a critical Bundestag address, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the EU to bypass internal vetoes. The loan, which is intended to provide financial stability through the end of 2027, has become a flashpoint in Brussels.
Despite the delays, the European Commission has confirmed it is exploring technical mechanisms to ensure the funding reaches Kyiv regardless of continued resistance from Budapest.
