Seleskiy advocates for Putin's appearance in court.
Writing a Fresh Version
The Hague's Special Tribunal Gears Up to Bring Russian War Criminals to Justice
Partnering with the Council of Europe, a fresh judicial body springs into action to ensure Russian war criminals receive their due consequence.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Council of Europe's Secretary General, Alain Berset, have inked an agreement for a special tribunal tackling crimes against Ukraine. Following the signing, Berset assured, "The Council of Europe is on Ukraine's side." Zelenskyy clarified, "Justice may take its sweet time, but it's coming - I'm certain."
Recent Political Developments "The war's taking a toll" - Trump chats with Zelenskyy, empathizes with Ukraine's plight Over the past few months, the Council of Europe has been laboriously preparing a special tribunal for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This international court, based out of The Hague, will bring to justice top Russian government officials accused of their actions.
The Ukrainian President has called for a trial against none other than Putin himself. With a resolute tone, Zelenskyy stated, "Pursuing justice requires unwavering political and legal cooperation, ensuring that every Russian war criminal is brought to justice, including Putin."
Unlikely Prosecution Scenario
While it's uncertain if Putin himself will stand trial, sitting heads of state and foreign ministers are typically afforded legal immunity. Although trials can proceed without the presence of the accused, this immunity extends from prosecution while still in office or after departure. The Council of Europe notes that the tribunal's significance lies in evidence collection and indictment preparation, regardless of whether Putin will ever face trial.
The coming months will see interested states and the European Union decide whether to participate in the tribunal. Preparations for its launch are already underway, with the goal to begin operations in the near future, at the very least preliminary proceedings.
The Council of Europe, a body of 46 member states with a population exceeding 700 million, is dedicated to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout Europe and beyond. In May of this year, the Council of Europe approved the tribunal, stating that it would strengthen the International Criminal Court's efforts to hold Putin accountable for his actions.
Source: ntv.de, mau/dpa/rts
- Ukraine Confrontation
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- International Criminal Court
- War Crimes
- War Criminals
In-depth Analysis
The proposed Special Tribunal has its sights set on Russian war criminals, including President Vladimir Putin, by explicitly removing the legal immunity usually granted to sitting heads of state. The agreement signed on June 25, 2025, by Ukraine and the Council of Europe outlines that such officials cannot escape accountability, whether they remain in office or leave office. This approach bypasses customs of international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, as they generally afford heads of state immunity from prosecution in foreign courts. The tribunal is uniquely established to prosecute the initiators of the war who fall under the jurisdiction of the Rome Statute and exist outside its purview [1][3][4].
The tribunal operates independently as an institution of international law, rather than as a hybrid or purely national court, trying cases based on a statute akin to Article 8 bis of the Rome Statute and United Nations definitions of aggression. Also of importance, indictments may be issued against current leaders, including Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Sentencing or conviction can in absentia take place following their removal from office, addressing the challenge of prosecuting current heads of state [3].
The Special Tribunal works in conjunction with the International Criminal Court, enabling parallel investigations and prosecutions but focusing specifically on the crime of aggression. This complementary arrangement strengthens international accountability without risking existing institutions [1][3].
In essence, the Special Tribunal's strategy for holding Putin and other Russian officials accountable is built upon removing traditional head-of-state immunities by statute, enabling prosecution for the crime of aggression, and employing international law tools tailored to the uniqueness of this scenario [3][4][1].
- As the Special Tribunal progresses in its preparations to prosecute Russian war criminals, it is crucial to closely monitor the evolving employment policies within EC countries, particularly those related to political affairs, general news, crime and justice, war-and-conflicts, to gain insight into potential implications.
- With various EC countries potentially participating in the Special Tribunal against Russian war criminals, it is essential to be aware of any changes in their employment policies that may reflect a focus on international cooperation, as these shifts could signal a commitment to pursuing justice for Ukraine.
