EU could join special tribunal against Russia, Ukraine's Foreign Minister says
Photo: Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Today, May 13, the European Union officially announced its intention to join the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
As Sybiha clarifies, this involves acceding to the Expanded Partial Agreement on the Steering Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Investigation of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
The Minister thanks the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, and the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, for their principled stance, strength, and leadership.
"It is imperative to hold the leadership of the aggressor state, as well as all those responsible, fully accountable and bring them to justice," he emphasizes.
At a press conference following the EU Council meeting, the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, announced the accession to the Special Tribunal.
According to her, the European Union will officially join the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine as early as this week.
Kallas emphasized that without holding Russia accountable, it was impossible to achieve a just and sustainable peace.
She also reported that EU Ministers gave the green light for the European Union to join the International Claims Commission, which will be tasked with assessing the damages caused by the war.
Special tribunal for Russia
In June 2025, Ukraine and the Council of Europe signed an agreement to establish a special tribunal, which will enable those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to be held accountable.
The document does not provide for so-called immunity for the president, prime minister, and foreign minister.
Last July, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified this agreement. The tribunal will have the status of an international body, and its work will be based on Article 8 bis of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the provisions of UN General Assembly Resolution No. 3314.
It is expected that the court will be able to render judgments even in the absence of the accused. This applies, in particular, to the political and military leadership of Russia, and potentially also to Belarus and North Korea.
France, Iceland, Poland, Andorra, Monaco, Finland, and other states have already confirmed their readiness to join the agreement, which is necessary to launch the tribunal.
