Ireland Joins Global Push for Special Tribunal to Prosecute Russian Leadership

Ireland has informed the Council of Europe of its intention to join the agreement to establish a special tribunal focused on the crime of aggression during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the development on May 7, confirming that Dublin has signaled its readiness to participate in the Expanded Partial Agreement. This framework is a necessary step toward the formal creation of the judicial body.

"I thank Ireland for notifying the Council of Europe of its readiness to join the Expanded Partial Agreement, which allows for the creation of the Special Tribunal. This is a logical step, given Ireland's consistent and principled support for all efforts to ensure accountability. I am grateful to Helen McEntee for this strong position," Sybiha stated.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that the Special Tribunal will be a historic institution designed to hold the highest political and military leaders of the aggressor state and its accomplices accountable.

He called on other nations both within and outside of Europe to support the initiative, noting that justice for the crime of aggression is vital for lasting peace on the continent.

The Council of Europe is scheduled to meet in Chisinau on May 14–15 to finalize the agreement regarding the tribunal's steering committee. Approximately 25 European Union member states have expressed their intent to join the initiative.

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According to Suspilne News, the push for a special tribunal follows several international milestones. In November 2022, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly recognized the Russian Federation as a terrorist state and supported the creation of a tribunal, though the decision requires individual national approval.

In Ukraine, efforts to document the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion are already underway. An office for the Register of Damage caused by the Russian Federation opened in Kyiv in March 2024 to process compensation claims. The register initially focuses on claims related to destroyed housing.

In May 2025, EU foreign ministers and senior officials approved the formal launch of the special tribunal to investigate the actions of Russia’s military and political leadership.

On April 14, 2026, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Poland and Iceland had joined the agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression.

Their participation was a decisive turning point, as it allowed the coalition to officially cross the legal threshold of 17 Council of Europe member states required to bring the matter to a vote.

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