Zelenskyy signs agreement to set up special tribunal holding Russia accountable for war crimes

"I have just signed the documents to ratify the Agreement on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression Against Ukraine. This Agreement was recently signed between our state and the Council of Europe and now needs to be promptly ratified to initiate the actual process of establishing the Tribunal," the President of Ukraine said.

He also emphasized that he had instructed the necessary legislative amendments to be promptly drafted and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament). This is to ensure that Ukraine fully fulfills its obligations under the tribunal agreement.

"I also expect the teams from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Office of the President to swiftly present a clear schedule for working with partners on implementing the Agreement and formally launching the institution," Zelenskyy added.

According to him, this year, Russia should already feel that its responsibility for the crime of aggression is inevitable. The international legal process to hold the guilty accountable has truly begun.

"Aggression is a crime, and the real, inevitable punishment of Russia for this crime is a matter of global concern shared by all who want a peaceful life for their people," the President of Ukraine added.

What is known about the Special Tribunal for Russia

On June 25, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, signed an agreement to establish a Special Tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression against Ukraine.

After signing, Zelenskyy stated that all Russian war criminals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, will face that.

It was previously expected that the special tribunal for Putin and his associates would be established by the end of 2024. However, this did not happen.