Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged for a trial against Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling him a “war criminal.” During a NATO summit in The Hague, Zelensky emphasized the importance of strong ties between Europe and the United States. He believes these connections are crucial for Ukraine’s success against the ongoing Russian invasion.
Zelensky signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal. This tribunal will prosecute top officials for their roles in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This marks Zelensky’s first visit to the Council of Europe since the conflict began, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Unity Between Europe and US
After meeting with US President Donald Trump, Zelensky made an impassioned plea for unity, stating, “We need a strong connection with him (Trump).” He stressed that unity between Europe and the United States is essential for Ukraine’s victory. “We need unity in Europe first of all,” he added.
The special tribunal aims to address the “crime of aggression” committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022. Zelensky asserted that the tribunal could potentially hold senior figures accountable, including Putin himself. He stated, “We need to show clearly aggression leads to punishment.”
Zelensky acknowledged that achieving justice will take time and effort. He remarked, “There is still a long way to go. Justice takes time, but it must happen.” He described the accord as a “real chance to bring justice for the crime of aggression.”
Political Courage Required
Zelensky emphasized the need for strong political and legal courage to ensure accountability. “It will take strong political and legal courage to make sure every Russian war criminal faces justice, including Putin,” he said.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset outlined the next steps for establishing the tribunal. He mentioned that an enlarged agreement would allow more countries to join and support the tribunal’s efforts.
While the tribunal’s location remains undecided, Zelensky suggested that The Hague would be “perfect.” Berset reinforced the importance of applying international law universally, stating, “International law must apply to all, with no exceptions and no double standards.”
Historic Initiative
This tribunal represents a significant step in international law, as it is the first of its kind established under the Council of Europe. The 46-member Council includes key non-EU states, such as Turkey and Ukraine, and expelled Russia following its invasion.
Ukraine and its allies demand justice for the 2022 invasion, and European foreign ministers endorsed the tribunal’s creation during a meeting in Lviv. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and his commanders for war crimes. However, the ICC lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the fundamental decision to invade Ukraine, known as the “crime of aggression.”
The Council of Europe stated that the new tribunal will address the jurisdictional limitations of the ICC, with the aim to ensure accountability for those responsible for the invasion and to uphold international law.
