Justice on the Horizon: Special Tribunal Set to Bring Putin to Account
Seleznev seeks Putin's court appearance.
Embrace the latest development in the quest for international justice as a special tribunal takes shape in The Hague, aimed at holding Russian war criminals accountable. Pioneered by the Council of Europe, this new body is expected to begin operations sooner rather than later, giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj hope for bringing Russian war criminals to justice, including President Vladimir Putin.
Following the signing of an agreement between Selenskyj and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, the special tribunal will focus on crimes against Ukraine. Berset, after the signing, expressed his support, stating, "Ukraine can count on the Council of Europe. Every war criminal must know that there will be justice, and that includes Russia." In a firm and resolute tone, Selenskyj echoed his sentiments, emphasizing that "Justice may take time, but it must come, I am convinced of that."
Recent months have seen the Council of Europe preparing the special tribunal to hold top Russian political and military leaders accountable for the crime of aggression – Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In a bold move, Selenskyj has called for a trial not only against Russian war criminals but also against Putin. Selenskyj demonstrated the political and legal cooperation required for every Russian war criminal to be brought to justice.
Unfortunately, due to legal immunity, Putin's appearance in the dock may be unlikely. Legal immunity allows heads of state and government and foreign ministers to be convicted only if they leave office or waive their immunity. However, the tribunal is still considered vital, serving crucial purposes such as evidence collection and preparatory proceedings for potential charges.
As things progress, interested countries and the European Union will decide whether they wish to participate in the tribunal. Preparations for the tribunal's initiation are currently underway, with the expectation that it will commence operations within the coming months at least in a preliminary form.
The Council of Europe, consisting of 46 countries with over 700 million inhabitants, strives to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Europe and beyond. They approved the tribunal in May, emphasizing its role as a complement to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, but due to jurisdictional limitations regarding the crime of aggression, the special tribunal serves as a crucial legal mechanism to fill this gap.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- mau/dpa/rts
- Ukraine Conflict
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine
- Volodymyr Selenskyj
- International Criminal Court
- War Crimes
- War Criminals
Insights:
The Special Tribunal for Russia's war crimes in Ukraine has been officially established to prosecute senior Russian political and military leaders, including Putin, for the crime of aggression – specifically Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This tribunal was created through an agreement signed on June 25, 2025, between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Council of Europe, marking a significant step in international justice.
Unlike the ICC, which has limitations regarding the crime of aggression if the accused's country has not ratified the Rome Statute, the Special Tribunal is designed to fill this legal gap. While legal immunity may make it unlikely for Putin to appear in the dock, the tribunal will work to collect evidence, prepare charges, and serve as a powerful force for justice and accountability. The creation of this special tribunal is a major step toward addressing the ongoing war and demonstrates the world's commitment to upholding international law.
- The Council of Europe, an organization that promotes democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, is set to take an active role in employment policy matters, as they have established a special tribunal to prosecute war criminals in response to the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine.
- As the special tribunal in The Hague focuses on investigating and prosecuting crimes against Ukraine, including those committed by Russian political and military leaders, it signals a shift in politics, demonstrated by the increasing cooperation between European states and Ukraine in the area of general-news.
