EU Backs Tribunal for Russian Leadership over Ukraine Invasion: A Step Towards Justice

European Union foreign ministers met in Lviv, Ukraine, endorsing the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russia's top leadership for the crime of aggression related to the invasion of Ukraine. This gathering, with delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe, demonstrated support for Ukraine. While the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and top commanders for war crimes, it cannot prosecute the invasion itself. The proposed tribunal aims to fill this gap, though challenges remain, including immunity for heads of state. Efforts to establish the tribunal have accelerated amid concerns that potential peace deals could prevent accountability for the crime of aggression. The tribunal will prosecute the Kremlin's top leadership under Ukrainian law, with the cooperation of the EU and the Council of Europe. The court will be based in the Netherlands. The legal framework for the project was agreed on by leaders in February.