Andorra and Monaco join push to prosecute Russia over aggression against Ukraine
Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Andorra and Monaco have officially joined the Special Tribunal on the Aggression of Russia. These countries will help investigate the Kremlin's crimes during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to a statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on X.
The legal framework for the new institution is almost ready, Ukraine's top diplomat wrote in his message. The final decision will be made in just a few days, and the agreement to establish the body will be put to a vote in Moldova. This will take place on May 14 and 15 during a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
The preparation process has been ongoing for a long time, and as early as May 9 last year, the project received strong political support from many countries. At that time, the foreign ministers of European countries and EU leaders expressed their will. The foundation for the tribunal was strengthened on June 25 in Strasbourg, where the official agreement was signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset.
Why Ukraine needs a separate court for Russia
Global legal mechanisms have their gaps. The International Criminal Court (ICC) currently cannot prosecute the crime of aggression itself. Its jurisdiction is insufficient for this specific context, which is why Kyiv insists on creating a special institution.
The court will focus on the top leadership of Russia, making it possible to hold accountable those who gave the orders to attack.
The list of participants in the special tribunal is constantly growing. It includes leading world powers and small European states. Each of them is contributing legally to the future verdict.
The list of states supporting the Special Tribunal includes:
- UK;
- France;
- Germany;
- Lithuania;
- Latvia;
- Estonia;
- Poland;
- Austria;
- Spain;
- Italy;
- Netherlands;
- Sweden;
- Norway;
- Finland;
- Iceland;
- Belgium;
- Czechia;
- Greece;
- Luxembourg;
- Moldova;
- Slovenia;
- Portugal;
- Croatia.
The newcomers to the list are Andorra and Monaco. Costa Rica has also joined the coalition.
What else you need to know about the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
In Berlin, Ukrainian ambassador Oleksii Makeiev spoke harshly about mediator Gerhard Schröder as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine. The diplomat explained why the Kremlin's man can never become a mediator for Ukraine.
Additionally, the head of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sybiha, stated that the Russians are deliberately using electronic warfare means to deflect Ukrainian drones so that they fly into the territory of Baltic countries. Ukraine has offered assistance in preventing such incidents.
For reference, Sybiha has traveled to Brussels to participate in an EU Council meeting, NATO negotiations, and an international coalition meeting on the return of Ukrainian children.
