European Union to Join Special Tribunal on Russia’s Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine, Sybiha Confirms

The European Union has formally declared its intention to become part of the international mechanism establishing the Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on May 13.

According to Sybiha, the EU will join the Enlarged Partial Agreement governing the tribunal’s Steering Committee, which is responsible for advancing the legal and institutional framework of the future court.

In a statement published on X, Sybiha welcomed the decision and thanked EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath for their support.

“It is imperative to hold the leadership of the aggressor state, as well as all those responsible, fully accountable and bring them to justice,” Sybiha said.

The development comes as international support for the tribunal continues to expand. On May 11, Andorra and Monaco formally joined the initiative, increasing the number of participating states to 27, according to Sybiha.

The legal framework for the tribunal is now approaching its final stage. A formal agreement on the establishment of the body is expected to be submitted for approval during the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting scheduled for May 14–15 in Moldova.

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War in Ukraine

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The attacks added to mounting evidence of Russia’s continued targeting of civilian areas across Ukraine. On May 13, in the Rivne region, a Russian strike killed two people and injured four others after damaging residential infrastructure, including an apartment building, regional officials said.

In the Cherkasy region, Russian drones hit the Smila community, damaging homes and injuring three civilians, two of them seriously. Emergency crews continued working at the impact sites as authorities assessed the scale of the destruction.

Meanwhile, authorities in Lutsk temporarily sealed off the city center and closed all bridges following another Russian drone attack, while officials continued to verify reports of damage and possible casualties.

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