Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the prosecution of Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling him a “war criminal” for his role in the invasion of Ukraine. This statement came after Zelenskyy signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal aimed at holding Russian officials accountable for their actions during the conflict.
The signing took place late Wednesday, and Zelenskyy emphasized the need for justice, stating, “We need to show clearly, aggression leads to punishment, and we must make it happen together, all of Europe.” He pointed out that it would require both political and legal courage to ensure that every Russian war criminal, including Putin, faces justice.
Putin is already facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly illegally transporting children out of Ukraine. While the ICC can investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, it lacks the authority to address “crimes of aggression,” which is why the new tribunal is being formed.
This special tribunal will focus on prosecuting Russia’s “crime of aggression” related to the full-scale invasion that began in February 2022. It has the potential to bring senior Russian figures, including Putin, to trial. Although the location of the tribunal has not been finalized, Zelenskyy mentioned that The Hague, home to the ICC, would be a fitting choice.
This initiative marks the first time a tribunal like this has been established under the Council of Europe, which is the continent’s leading rights organization. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has expressed that this tribunal will provide Ukraine with a path to justice for the invasion, addressing issues that other courts currently cannot.
The European Council noted that the tribunal could also be used to prosecute individuals from North Korea and Belarus who supported Russia in the invasion. The Council of Europe, consisting of 46 member states, includes key non-EU countries like Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. Russia was expelled from this body following its actions in Ukraine.
In addition to the warrant for Putin, the ICC is pursuing arrest warrants for four top Russian commanders accused of targeting civilians during the conflict.