On June 26, 2025, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), formalized an agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in Strasbourg. This tribunal aims to prosecute senior Russian leaders for war crimes attributed to their actions since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. Existing international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, lack jurisdiction specifically to address this crime, thus necessitating the formation of this new tribunal. Berset emphasized the urgency of justice in his remarks, stating that the tribunal represents a significant step toward accountability for violations of the UN Charter.
Zelenskyy drawn parallels between the current situation in Ukraine and historical tribunals, like the Nuremberg Trials and those addressing crimes in the former Yugoslavia. In his address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE, he argued that these precedents underscore the need to hold Russian officials responsible for their actions. He highlighted Ukraine’s demand for clear and comprehensive judicial processes, asserting that the world requires a definitive verdict on the crimes committed against Ukraine—a sentiment reinforcing the call for justice on an international stage.
The Ukrainian leader expressed optimism regarding the tribunal as a genuine opportunity to restore a sense of justice for those who suffered severe atrocities at the hands of Russian military forces. By targeting high-ranking officials and providing a platform for accountability, Zelenskyy argued that the tribunal could set a precedent emphasizing that aggression incurs significant consequences. He specifically called out Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “war criminal” and insisted that the tribunal be a mechanism for demonstrating that acts of aggression are punishable.
While the establishment of the tribunal marks a crucial advancement, logistical arrangements are still being finalized, including the tribunal’s location. Though The Hague has been proposed due to its established legal framework, a definitive conclusion has yet to be reached. The discussions underscore the complexity of setting up a new judicial entity, even as the urgency for a specific framework to prosecute the crime of aggression accelerates.
Financial backing for the tribunal will derive from a collective of supportive nations—referred to as the Core Group—comprising 40 member states. Notably, the United States expressed support for this initiative under the Biden administration, a shift from the stance taken during President Donald Trump’s tenure, illustrating the fluctuating dynamics in international backing for prosecuting war crimes.
The creation of this special tribunal not only reflects a commitment to justice for Ukraine but also addresses broader concerns about international law and accountability. The tribunal aims to reaffirm the global community’s stance against impunity for acts that undermine peace and violate sovereign nations. As preparations continue, there is a collective hope that this initiative will pave the way for an honest reckoning of aggression and a renewed commitment to upholding the rule of law in international relations.
