Special Tribunal on Russian Aggression


By Charles Hawes, Capital News

STRASBOURG, March 21 – The Core Group has completed its fourteenth and final meeting, marking a significant milestone in the effort to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The group’s legal experts have finalized three crucial draft documents, now set for political review.

    The completed drafts include a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of the tribunal, the Special Tribunal’s statute, and an enlarged partial agreement outlining its management. These documents will serve as the legal foundation for holding Russian leadership accountable for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    According to Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, this step is not only critical for Ukraine but also for upholding the principles of international law.“Over the past two years, this Group has been working to build a foundation for justice – for Ukraine and for the entire world. I want to express my special gratitude to those who hosted the Core Group's meetings: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Lithuania, Romania, Latvia, the European Union, and the Council of Europe,” she said.

    Mudra also underscored the broader significance of the tribunal, emphasizing that justice is an essential pillar of achieving lasting peace.“Our war is waged not only on the battlefield – it is also a struggle for justice. For Ukraine, justice is not a subject for bargaining. It is a moral and legal necessity,” she stated. “Ukrainians seek peace more than any other nation in the world. A comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. After all, a peace that is not just cannot last.”

    The Core Group, comprising legal experts and representatives from multiple European nations, has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal mechanisms for accountability. The next phase will involve political deliberation on the proposed documents, determining the tribunal’s future structure and implementation.

    As Ukraine continues its fight on multiple fronts, the progress of the Special Tribunal remains a crucial step in ensuring that those responsible for the aggression face justice on the world stage.



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