Ukrainian and European diplomats publicly expressed their firm position regarding the creation of an international tribunal to hold high-ranking Russian officials, including Putin and Lavrov, accountable for crimes of aggression against Ukraine
In Lviv, leaders of Ukrainian diplomacy and the European Union held a joint press conference on this matter, assuring that such a court is a necessary link in the pursuit of justice and in preventing the impunity of the guilty. Specifically, the Head of the EU Delegation for External and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is a particular type of crime with special weight in international law. She highlighted that without the crime of aggression, many other serious violations on Ukrainian territory—especially war crimes committed by Russian troops—would not have occurred. "Without the crime of aggression, the horrific war crimes committed by Russian soldiers would not have taken place. Therefore, the crime of aggression is one of the most serious crimes, which entails the responsibility of national leaders, and for this reason, it must not remain unpunished," Kallas stated. She assured that the international tribunal established to prosecute crimes of aggression in The Hague, a center of international jurisprudence and accountability, is of immense significance for the global justice system. The diplomat also pointed out the possibility of prosecuting high-ranking Russian officials even before their official arrest or during mandatory court proceedings, through extrajudicial jurisdiction. "Accusations can be made in absentia: this is theoretically possible, but it is important to remember that legal responsibility will be applied in accordance with the specifics of international law, considering provisions related to the status of officials who are at large or on international wanted lists," she explained. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga, in turn, emphasized the need for justice for top Russian leaders, particularly President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "Their actions are not just war crimes, but international crimes, and in the future, the tribunal will issue appropriate verdicts. The president, prime minister, and foreign minister of Russia are all responsible and must be held accountable under international law," he stated. According to the Ukrainian diplomat, existing legal capabilities and developed legal formulas allow for the achievement of well-founded convictions of Russian high officials. "The mechanism for the tribunal’s work has been developed and is fully acceptable for Ukraine. It provides for swift and effective condemnation of key figures of the Russian leadership," Sybiga noted. Kallas added that there is a possibility of issuing judicial verdicts even before the official arrest of these officials. "Legislation allows for their conviction in absentia, but it is important to remember that legal responsibility is subject to certain limitations, including when officials are in office or on international wanted lists," she explained. The head of Ukrainian diplomacy emphasized that the localization of the tribunal is currently designated in The Hague— the center of international justice, where procedural and legal aspects of the case will be concentrated. "The tribunal will be in The Hague, in the heart of international jurisprudence, which will allow for very precise and independent investigation of crimes by the Russian leadership and the issuance of necessary verdicts," Sybiga stated. According to diplomatic estimates, the first decisions of this special court are expected as early as 2026, marking a significant step in combating impunity and formalizing the international legal response to Russia’s crimes of aggression against Ukraine. European leaders also highlighted the importance of establishing a Special International Tribunal modeled after the Nuremberg Trials but aimed at punishing the highest leadership of the Kremlin. For more details on the agreements regarding the future tribunal, legal nuances, and the legal foundations of this process — stay tuned for our special publication, "Nuremberg for Putin: What You Need to Know About the Tribunal for Russia’s Top Officials in The Hague."