The Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski openly described the decision of America not to join the international tribunal established to punish Vladimir Putin for crimes of aggression against Ukraine as a major political concession to the Kremlin
According to him, this U.S. refusal is just one of approximately ten significant concessions that the new U.S. administration has made in favor of the Russian leader, thereby highlighting a trend toward reducing support for Ukraine’s fight and gradually weakening international pressure on Moscow. Following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers held last week, Sikorski made a notable comment regarding the status of the international initiative to create a special tribunal for Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that the United States' decision to refrain from participating in this process is a substantial concession to Russia, which is actively avoiding accountability for its crimes. In the words of the Polish diplomat, this decision symbolizes a certain decline in the unity of Western countries’ approaches to responding to the invasion. “The suspension of U.S. participation in this matter is one of nearly ten important concessions that the new U.S. administration has made for Vladimir Putin,” Sikorski stated. He pointed out that Washington currently appears weak and diplomatically hesitant, while Moscow, conversely, receives signals that its actions do not lead to serious consequences. At the same time, the politician expressed hope that President Trump, known for his negotiation skills, will draw the right conclusions and, in response to this diplomatic concession, start applying pressure mechanisms and negative incentives to compel the Kremlin to show greater prudence. Meanwhile, even before this statement, several key steps were taken at the EU level toward establishing an international tribunal against Putin. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced the “final political approval” for the creation of a judicial body on May 9 in Ukraine — precisely during Victory Day celebrations. A group of responsible states has already completed preparatory legal and technical documents for launching the special tribunal within the Council of Europe, marking an important milestone in the legal pursuit of accountability. The Council of Europe leadership confirmed its readiness for rapid deployment of the tribunal. The organization’s Secretary General called on member states to demonstrate political will and act decisively to ensure the tribunal’s launch. The current geopolitical situation and international support show that steps toward legal accountability are being translated into concrete actions; however, the absence of active U.S. participation could significantly impact the ultimate realization of this initiative. Thus, the situation surrounding the creation of an international tribunal for Vladimir Putin serves as a vivid example of diplomatic games, where major players are not always ready to unite efforts for justice. The U.S. refusal to participate in this process is a serious signal that the future of justice for the Russian leader remains uncertain, while Europe and other allies strive to maintain momentum and prevent a shift away from the fight for justice and accountability for acts of aggression.