Tribunal for Kremlin grows: North Macedonia joins initiative
North Macedonia's minister Timčo Mucunski (Photo: Timco Mucunski / facebook.com)
North Macedonia has become the first Western Balkan country to join the international initiative to establish a special tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine, states the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Timčo Mucunski.
According to Mucunski, North Macedonia has joined the European Union’s initiative to establish a special tribunal aimed at holding Russia’s top military and political leadership accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
It is the only country from the Western Balkans region that participated in the meeting in Lviv, where the corresponding decision was made.
Respect for international law
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia stated that the country joined the initiative because it stands for respect for international public and humanitarian law. He added that North Macedonia joined the special tribunal in full communication and coordination with all strategic partners in the field of foreign policy.
“The reason our country is becoming part of this process, and what our citizens should know, is that respect for international public law and international humanitarian law is one of the key and most important tools, especially for small countries like ours,” Mucunski emphasized.
He also underlined that North Macedonia fundamentally supports this initiative, as well as all efforts aimed at upholding international law.
“Politics may sometimes be stronger than the law, but that does not mean we as a state should not consistently stand by the principles we defend,” the minister noted.
According to him, only time will tell whether the initiative will achieve its goals, but it is a real and necessary step in the current geopolitical context.
Tribunal for Russia
On May 9, a meeting of the foreign ministers of countries supporting the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression by Russia against Ukraine took place in Lviv. As a result, the participants reached a political agreement to launch such a mechanism.
Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel stated that the special tribunal could begin its work as early as this week in his country.
The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas added that the tribunal will have the power to issue judgments in absentia. The verdicts will take effect once the accused individuals lose their official positions.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal explained that the main task of the Special Tribunal is the investigation, criminal prosecution, and trial of those who bear the greatest responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. He outlined which specific crimes Russian officials will be held accountable for.
As previously reported, 44 countries have joined the special coalition to establish the tribunal for the Kremlin.
