EU hails 'major' progress on plan to set up special tribunal to judge Vladimir Putin
BRUSSELS — A coalition of 38 countries, including all members of the European Union, announced on Tuesday "major progress" in their joint work to establish a special tribunal to judge the Russian leadership for the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine.The work among experts and lawyers has so far centred on drafting the legal statute that will underpin the tribunal and determine its jurisdiction. The statute is not yet final but the coalition hopes it could be endorsed before the end of the year.Details of the text have not been made public."So we're at a point where very substantial progress has been made," said Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law."At this stage, we do not envisage any insurmountable obstacles."The tribunal will prosecute Russia's political and military leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, and be established within the framework of the Council of Europe, a human rights organisation. Its Secretary General, Alain Berset, said the institution would be "ready to act" once the mandate is green-lighted at the political level."To wait is not an option. We must really act as fast as possible. And we will do the best way to try to finish the work this year," Berset said, speaking next to McCrath."We must be very ambitious. And I think if there's a will. There is also the possibility to work to achieve this."The idea of setting up a tribunal for the crime of aggression has been ardently championed by President Volodymyr Zelensky to ensure accountability for the full-scale invasion, which Putin ordered the launch of almost three years ago.Unlike war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, which are applied to the individuals who commit the atrocities, such as military officers and mercenaries, the crime of aggression is a leadership crime that targets the person ultimately in charge of controlling the aggressor state.The aggression can consist of an invasion, an occupation, an annexation, a blockade of ports or any other assault that involves the use of weapons by a state against another.According to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the crime of aggression relates to "the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations."This makes Putin the likeliest defendant in a future trial. That possibility, however, remains an abstract aspiration at best: heads of state enjoy immunity from prosecution under international law and a trial in absentia risks being seen as illegitimate.Although the ICC established jurisdiction over crimes of aggression under the so-called Kampala Amendments, this only applies to countries and nationals from countries that are party to the Rome Statute. Russia, like the US and China, is not a signatory.This is why Kyiv and Brussels have explored the option of creating an ad-hoc tribunal that would be empowered to prosecute the specific case of Russia's war on Ukraine."Without the crime of aggression, there wouldn't be any war crimes either," said High Representative Kaja Kallas, who also spoke at Tuesday's press conference."Therefore, it's extremely important that there is also accountability for the crime of aggression. No one from Russia and no one from Russia's leadership is untouchable.""It is also very important to send a signal that unpunished crimes only encourage further aggression," she added.Kallas noted the special tribunal should be established "before the war is over."Iryna Mudra, the deputy head of Zelensky's office, who also took part in the press conference, hailed the progress on the legal statute as a "major breakthrough" and said no other national should be a "victim of another imperial conquest."
The last time this kind of crime was brought to justice was during the Nuremberg trials held after World War II when the charges were known as "crimes against peace." — Euronews
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
7 hours ago
- Leaders
Ukraine, Russia Prepare for Major POW Exchange Next Week
Ukraine announced on Sunday that a significant exchange of prisoners of war (POW) with Russia will commence next week, following mutual accusations from both nations regarding delays and obstructions in the process, highlighting the fragile nature of their negotiations amidst ongoing hostilities. Moscow has accused Kyiv of postponing the swap, while Ukraine claims Russia is engaging in manipulative tactics. These tensions surfaced after Russia launched a substantial drone and missile attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's eastern city. Despite these challenges, both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the exchange, which includes returning the bodies of fallen soldiers. Negotiations and Agreements The negotiations, held in Istanbul, resulted in an agreement to repatriate prisoners and the remains of soldiers starting next week. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's defense intelligence, confirmed this schedule on social media. The agreement, reached on June 2, marks a critical step in the ongoing conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for the families of the captured and deceased soldiers. The planned exchange will involve all severely wounded and sick prisoners of war, as well as young soldiers aged 18 to 25. This comprehensive swap aims to address the humanitarian aspects of the conflict, providing relief to the most vulnerable captives. Additionally, both sides agreed to return the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers, a move that underscores the grim reality of the prolonged war. Previous Exchanges and Current Progress Previous prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have generally proceeded without major issues. For instance, Ukraine recently shot down a Russian Su-35 warplane, demonstrating its ongoing defensive capabilities. The successful operation in the Kursk direction highlights Ukraine's resilience amidst continuous aggression. Despite the progress, the path to a full ceasefire remains contentious. Russia has resisted Ukraine's proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, instead offering a partial truce. Ukrainian officials have expressed their desire to continue peace talks, aiming for a more comprehensive agreement that could pave the way for lasting peace. Turkey has played a crucial role in facilitating these negotiations, offering to host further discussions between the leaders of both nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism about the potential for future talks, emphasizing the need for international support to achieve a sustainable resolution. As the planned exchange approaches, the international community watches closely, hoping for a successful implementation that could alleviate some of the suffering caused by the conflict. The upcoming weeks will be critical in determining whether this exchange can build momentum towards a more lasting peace. Short link : Post Views: 2
Al Arabiya
16 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US believes Russia response to Ukraine drone attack not over yet
The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin's threatened retaliation against Ukraine over its drone attack last weekend has not happened yet in earnest and is likely to be a significant, multi-pronged strike, US officials told Reuters. The timing of the full Russian response was unclear, with one source saying it was expected within days. A second US official said the retaliation was likely to include different kinds of air capabilities, including missiles and drones. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. They did not detail Russia's expected targets nor elaborate on intelligence matters. The first official said Moscow's attack would be 'asymmetrical,' meaning that its approach and targeting would not mirror Ukraine's strike last weekend against Russian warplanes. Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday and Russia's Defense Ministry said the strike on military and military-related targets was in response to what it called Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russia. But the US officials believe the complete Russian response is yet to come. A Western diplomatic source said that while Russia's response may have started, it would likely intensify with strikes against symbolic Ukrainian targets like government buildings, in an effort to send a clear message to Kyiv. Another, senior, Western diplomat anticipated a further devastating assault by Moscow. 'It will be huge, vicious and unrelenting,' the diplomat said. 'But the Ukrainians are brave people.' The Russian and Ukrainian embassies in Washington and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Michael Kofman, a Russia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said he expected Moscow might seek to punish Ukraine's domestic security agency, the SBU, for its role in last weekend's assault. To send a message, Russia could employ intermediate-range ballistic missiles for the attack, he said. 'Most likely, they will attempt to retaliate against (SBU) headquarters, or other regional intelligence administration buildings," Kofman said, adding Russia could also target Ukrainian defense manufacturing centers. Still, Kofman suggested Russia's options for retaliation may be limited as it is already throwing a lot of its military might at Ukraine. 'In general, Russia's ability to substantially escalate strikes from what they are already doing - and attempting to do over the past month - is quite constrained,' he said. Operation 'Spider's Web' Kyiv says Sunday's audacious attack employed 117 unmanned aerial vehicles launched deep from within Russian territory in an operation code-named 'Spider's Web.' The United States assesses that up to 20 warplanes were hit - around half the number estimated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - and around 10 were destroyed. The Russian government on Thursday denied that any planes were destroyed and said the damage would be repaired, but Russian military bloggers have spoken of loss or serious damage to about a dozen planes, including those capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The strikes, prepared over 18 months and conducted by drones smuggled close to the bases in trucks, dealt a powerful symbolic blow to Russia, which throughout the Ukraine war has frequently reminded the world of its nuclear might. Putin told President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation on Wednesday that Moscow would have to respond to attack, Trump said in a social media post. Trump later told reporters that 'it's probably not going to be pretty.' 'I don't like it. I said: 'Don't do it. You shouldn't do it. You should stop it,'' Trump said of his conversation with Putin. 'But, again, there's a lot of hatred.'
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
US believes Russia response to Ukraine drone attack not over yet, expects multi-pronged strike
WASHINGTON: The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin's threatened retaliation against Ukraine over its drone attack last weekend has not happened yet in earnest and is likely to be a significant, multi-pronged strike, US officials told Reuters. The timing of the full Russian response was unclear, with one source saying it was expected within days. A second US official said the retaliation was likely to include different kinds of air capabilities, including missiles and drones. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. They did not detail Russia's expected targets nor elaborate on intelligence matters. The first official said Moscow's attack would be 'asymmetrical,' meaning that its approach and targeting would not mirror Ukraine's strike last weekend against Russian warplanes. • Putin's retaliation for Ukraine drone strike has yet to fully unfold, US officials say • Strikes expected to including missiles, drones, US officials say • Moscow's retaliation expected to be 'asymmetrical,' official says Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday and Russia's Defense Ministry said the strike on military and military-related targets was in response to what it called Ukrainian 'terrorist acts' against Russia. But the US officials believe the complete Russian response is yet to come. A Western diplomatic source said that while Russia's response may have started, it would likely intensify with strikes against symbolic Ukrainian targets like government buildings, in an effort to send a clear message to Kyiv. Another, senior, Western diplomat anticipated a further devastating assault by Moscow. 'It will be huge, vicious and unrelenting,' the diplomat said. 'But the Ukrainians are brave people.' The Russian and Ukrainian embassies in Washington and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Michael Kofman, a Russia expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said he expected Moscow might seek to punish Ukraine's domestic security agency, the SBU, for its role in last weekend's assault. To send a message, Russia could employ intermediate-range ballistic missiles for the attack, he said. 'Most likely, they will attempt to retaliate against (SBU) headquarters, or other regional intelligence administration buildings,' Kofman said, adding Russia could also target Ukrainian defense manufacturing centers. Still, Kofman suggested Russia's options for retaliation may be limited as it is already throwing a lot of its military might at Ukraine. 'In general, Russia's ability to substantially escalate strikes from what they are already doing — and attempting to do over the past month — is quite constrained,' he said. OPERATION 'SPIDER'S WEB' Kyiv says Sunday's audacious attack employed 117 unmanned aerial vehicles launched deep from within Russian territory in an operation code-named 'Spider's Web.' The United States assesses that up to 20 warplanes were hit — around half the number estimated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — and around 10 were destroyed. The Russian government on Thursday denied that any planes were destroyed and said the damage would be repaired, but Russian military bloggers have spoken of loss or serious damage to about a dozen planes, including those capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The strikes, prepared over 18 months and conducted by drones smuggled close to the bases in trucks, dealt a powerful symbolic blow to Russia, which throughout the Ukraine war has frequently reminded the world of its nuclear might. Putin told President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation on Wednesday that Moscow would have to respond to attack, Trump said in a social media post. Trump later told reporters that 'it's probably not going to be pretty.' 'I don't like it. I said: 'Don't do it. You shouldn't do it. You should stop it,'' Trump said of his conversation with Putin. 'But, again, there's a lot of hatred.'
