Finland joins effort to launch tribunal over Russia's war against Ukraine
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Finland has joined the agreement to establish a special tribunal for Russia over crimes of aggression against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"Finland has become the 21st state, officially joining the Tribunal. We look forward to the number further growing," Sybiha notes.
According to him, all countries, not just European ones, are invited to join the special tribunal.
"Part of the word does not matter when it comes to the universal value of respect for international law and the need for justice," the Minister emphasizes.
He adds that the agreement will be put to a vote in a few weeks in Chisinau at a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
"The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine is a historic endeavor. Join us in making it a reality," Sybiha urged partners.
Special tribunal for Russia
Work is underway in Europe to establish a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression by Russia against Ukraine.
Last June, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset signed an agreement to establish a Special Tribunal to adjudicate crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
On May 9, 2025, a key international meeting took place in Lviv, where foreign ministers from dozens of European countries, together with representatives of the Council of Europe, gave the political green light to the creation of the Special Tribunal.
Following this, the process moved into the legal phase: countries began drafting agreements, gathering support, and establishing the legal framework for the tribunal, which is planned to be located in The Hague.
The tribunal will have the status of an international body. Its work will be based on Article 8 bis of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as well as on the provisions of UN General Assembly Resolution No. 3314.
It is expected that the court will be able to issue rulings even in the absence of the accused, specifically regarding the political and military leadership of Russia, and potentially also Belarus and North Korea.
At least 25 states have declared their readiness to become participants in the special tribunal.
