Special tribunal to prosecute Russia's Ukraine invasion by 2026
In 2026, a special tribunal is set to begin operations to address Russia's crimes of aggression against Ukraine. The primary aim will be to hold the senior Russian leaders accountable.
The special tribunal, which will address the acts of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine, is to commence its activities in 2026.
Initially, prosecutors will focus on President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. A considerable amount of evidence has already been collected against these individuals.
European Union support
The foreign ministers of European Union countries arrived in Lviv to express their support for Ukraine. A key point of the visit was political backing for the creation of the new tribunal.
The Special Tribunal will ensure that those most responsible for the aggression against Ukraine are held accountable – emphasised Kaja Kallas, the head of diplomacy.
Scope of the tribunal's activities
The tribunal will examine the responsibility for the decisions to invade, including determining who gave the orders and who directed the attacks on Ukraine. There are also plans to initiate proceedings against 20 to 30 key Russian military and political leaders.
The European International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA), which includes Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Romania, will assist the tribunal in gathering evidence. A representative of the European Commission indicated that this institution has already accumulated a substantial amount of evidence.
Procedures and sentences
The tribunal will be able to conduct trials in the absence of the accused, with only their lawyer participating. If the accused appear in person, they will have the right to a retrial. The sentences issued by the tribunal are consistent with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, including life imprisonment.
International support and location
The tribunal will operate within the framework of the Council of Europe, and its establishment is supported by nearly 40 countries. Although the US initially took part in the preparations, they withdrew from the project following the administration change. However, the option for their return remains open. The Netherlands is being considered as the site for the tribunal's headquarters.
