Historic tribunal to probe Russia's Ukraine aggression
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset signed an agreement in Strasbourg on Wednesday, June 25, to establish a special international tribunal to investigate Russia's crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, this legal mechanism will target acts committed since the start of Russia's aggression in February 2014, DW reports.
The tribunal will be the first of its kind since the end of World War II with the authority to prosecute political and military leaders "regardless of their position." Zelenskyy stated that this new international instrument will enable the Russian regime to be held accountable for crimes committed against the Ukrainian people.
Although an investigation into President Vladimir Putin is possible, a Euronews report indicates that, due to the personal immunity enjoyed by heads of state, he can't currently be tried, even in absentia. A trial for him could only take place after the end of his presidential term.
The document also allows for the prosecution of other high-ranking Russian officials, such as Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. However, the lack of cooperation from the Russian Federation and its withdrawal from the Council of Europe in 2022 complicate the extradition process for potential suspects.
Initially, the United States participated in the tribunal's creation process but withdrew during the Trump administration. Still, European officials hope that Washington will rejoin this joint effort to hold aggressors accountable.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
