Ukraine to Establish War Tribunal with the Council of Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to sign an agreement with the Council of Europe to create a special tribunal aimed at prosecuting senior Russian officials responsible for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The tribunal will have jurisdiction over individuals who orchestrated and executed the military assault, including top government and military leaders.
This initiative reflects Kyiv's commitment to accountability and justice, especially as international peace negotiations remain stalled due to Russia’s ongoing demands. Zelenskyy will formalize the agreement with Alain Berset, chair of the Strasbourg-based human rights body, which has excluded Russia from its membership following its invasion.
Unlike the European Court of Human Rights, this tribunal will operate independently and focus specifically on the crime of aggression, which the International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot prosecute. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Russian officials like Vladimir Putin, but it does not hold jurisdiction over the act of aggression itself. The new tribunal aims to investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable those bearing the greatest responsibility for the invasion, potentially including acting presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers, even if they are no longer in office.
Over 34,000 incidents involving death, torture, destruction, and displacement have been documented in a dedicated damage registry, which will serve as evidence for the tribunal’s proceedings.
The Ukrainian government plans to implement legal and administrative changes to establish the court within its borders, with the location to be determined. This move signifies Ukraine’s determination to seek justice for the war crimes committed during the invasion and to reinforce international rule of law.
