Tribunal for Russia: Zelenskyy issues series of orders to make it happen
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine moves to the practical phase of creating an international tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression. Relevant structures have been tasked with developing a clear action plan, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Today, the President received a briefing on the outcomes of foreign policy efforts over the past week. According to him, there have been significant decisions from international partners in support of Ukraine, primarily at the level of the European Union.
On June 27, government and Presidential Office teams summarized their engagement with European institutions, including the European Council, the European Commission, and EU member states. As the President explained, Ukraine's partners acknowledge the country’s fulfillment of the necessary requirements on its path to EU membership.
"We are fulfilling what we promised. Our goal is to be ready this year to open all negotiation clusters, starting with the first one in July. It’s equally important that our European partners are prepared to fully implement what is promised in relations with Ukraine," he stated.
Establishing a tribunal for Russian aggression
Separately, according to President Zelenskyy, they discussed the implementation of the agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on creating a tribunal for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
"I instructed the team at the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop a clear timeline of practical steps for establishing the tribunal - finalizing the necessary agreements with partners, launching the institution, and ensuring its actual functioning. We need real justice, and this process must not take years or decades," he emphasized.
The President noted that joint efforts with international partners to ensure Russia is justly punished for its aggression must be both swift and consistently professional.
What is known about the special tribunal for Russia
On June 25, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset signed an agreement to establish a special tribunal for the crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
Following the signing, Zelenskyy stated that all Russian war criminals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, would be brought to justice.
Earlier, it was expected that the special tribunal for Putin and his associates to be established by the end of 2024, but that did not happen.
