Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers Meeting on the conclusion of the work of the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
9 May 2025, Lviv, Ukraine
We, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and other representatives of the States participating in the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (the Core Group), convened today, 9 May 2025, in Lviv, a city that has played a significant role in the formation of international legal scholars who laid the foundations of modern international criminal law,
Recalling United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES-11/1 of 2 March 2022, entitled “Aggression against Ukraine“, which deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/ES-11/6 of 23 February 2023, entitled “Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine“,
Expressing their appreciation for the work done by the legal experts within the Core Group on the draft legal instruments necessary for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine since January 2023,
Taking into account the Vienna-Riga Statement of the Core Group of 22 November 2024,
Guided by the shared objective of ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine,
We hereby declare the following:
1. We welcome the completion of the technical work on the draft legal instruments necessary to establish within the framework of the Council of Europe a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
2. We reaffirm the critical importance of the Special Tribunal in delivering justice by holding accountable those who bear the greatest responsibility for this most serious international crime committed against Ukraine.
3. We underline that once established, in accordance with its Statute, the Special Tribunal will conduct its proceedings in full respect of international law and human rights, with the aim of securing accountability for the crime of aggression and strengthening the international legal order.
4. We express gratitude to all those who have actively contributed to the preparatory work on the draft legal instruments necessary for the establishment of the Special Tribunal, in particular the legal advisers participating in the Core Group.
5. We underline the central role of the Council of Europe in establishing the Special Tribunal and acknowledge the significant contribution of the European Commission and the European External Action Service, including their work on the draft Agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of the Special Tribunal, the draft Statute of the Special Tribunal, and the draft Enlarged Partial Agreement outlining the modalities of support for the Special Tribunal, including its funding and other administrative aspects.
6. We reaffirm our continued commitment to the process of establishing the Special Tribunal within the framework of the Council of Europe, to the swift commencement of its operations, and to supporting its effective functioning.
7. With a view to broadening international support for the Special Tribunal, we call upon other states and international organizations to join our efforts and actively support the Special Tribunal’s activities.
8. Those of us who represent member States of the Council of Europe look forward to the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Luxembourg on 13-14 May 2025, which will constitute the next step toward formalizing the establishment of the Special Tribunal within the framework of the Council of Europe.
* This statement was agreed in the presence of Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, and Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection.
Vienna-Riga Statement of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
The participants of the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine,
Referring to United Nations General Assembly Resolutions ES-11/1 of 2 March 2022 on Aggression against Ukraine, which deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations,
Referring to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/6 of 23 February 2023, on Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,
Recalling the Joint Statement on Efforts to Establish a Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine of 9 May 2023, confirming our unwavering support for peace, security and the rule of law in the world,
Recognising the importance of ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine,
Having met in Vienna on the 17th of September 2024 and in Riga on the 22nd of November 2024, state the following:
- The participants of the Core Group take note of Ukraine’s ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court testifying Ukraine’s commitment to international law and international justice. The participants also take note that this ratification extends to the Kampala Amendment on the crime of aggression.
- The Core Group continues its work towards establishing an effective Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, capable of delivering justice by holding accountable those who bear the greatest responsibility. The establishment of a Special Tribunal must respect international law and should enjoy broad cross-regional support to guarantee its legitimacy.
- The participants of the Core Group welcome the contributions of the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s services and of the European External Action Service to its consultations, including the preparation of a draft bilateral Agreement between the Council of Europe and the Government of Ukraine concerning the Establishment of a Special Tribunal, its draft Statute and a draft Enlarged Partial Agreement outlining the modalities of support for such a tribunal.
- The participants of the Core Group encourage other States and international organisations to actively support and contribute to the Core Group’s further consultations. The participants of the Core Group invite other States, in due course, where appropriate and without prejudice to the Core Group’s further consultations, to actively consider endorsing the establishment of a Special Tribunal and contributing to the Special Tribunal’s financing and operational resources through an instrument established for these purposes, with an Enlarged Partial Agreement under the auspices of the Council of Europe being one possible option.
- The participants of the Core Group reaffirm the critical importance of any future proceedings of an established Special Tribunal adhering to applicable international law. Future proceedings of an established Special Tribunal should be based on the right to a fair trial by an independent and impartial court, access to a lawyer, the timely examination of cases, the enforcement of final and binding judicial decisions without undue delay, and other applicable international human rights law.
- The participants of the Core Group remain committed to continuously working actively and effectively towards establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, including by continuing to consider the drafts prepared by the Council of Europe.
Joint statement on efforts to establish a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine
We, the representatives of participants of the Core Group on options for the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine, gathered today, 9 May 2023, to confirm our unwavering support for peace, security and democracy in the world.
We recall that security in Europe and the world is interconnected and can be guaranteed only in full respect for international law, integral components of which include the territorial integrity and political independence of States, the prohibition of the use of force and the inherent right of States to self-defense as reflected in the UN Charter.
We express our deepest respect for the courage and stamina shown by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which have become a strong shield for all European nations with support of nations globally. Ukraine is paying a high price not only for its future, but also for the security and future of others.
We confirm our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine, who have been fighting to defend their independence in the face of Russian aggression.
We support the principles for a just and lasting peace outlined in the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the need for any peace to fully reflect the UN Charter, and the Resolution of the UN General Assembly dated 23 February 2023 “Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”. We express our support for the implementation of this peace initiative and call on all states to support this process as well.
We emphasize that we will stand side by side with Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor and call for the full restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.
We call on the entire world to support and provide assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible.
We strongly condemn Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked armed aggression, which grossly violates the UN Charter, as confirmed by UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 (2022), which deplored in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and recalled Resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974, which defines aggression as the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter, and which states that a war of aggression is a crime against international peace.
We condemn any crimes and atrocities committed by Russia’s forces and officials, including attacks against civilians, conflict-related sexual violence and other war crimes and crimes against humanity. We call on Russia to immediately release all illegally detained citizens of Ukraine, and to return all deportees, including children. We reiterate our commitment to holding those responsible to account consistently with international law, and support the efforts of international mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, OSCE Moscow Mechanism and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
We emphasize the need to pursue justice as called for in the Bucha Declaration regarding responsibility for the most serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine. We therefore reaffirm that those responsible for committing the crime of aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished, and call on the international community to consider appropriate actions, including through the establishment of an appropriate justice mechanism to ensure effective accountability for the crime of aggression, which is of concern to the international community as a whole.
We therefore support exploring the creation of a tribunal to ensure effective accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
We underline the importance of the Core Group as the main platform for developing an effective mechanism for exploring the legal and technical issues involved in creation of such a tribunal and call on other states and international organizations to join our collective work.Statement of the Republic of Croatia at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Statement of the Republic of Croatia at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Dear [President, Prime Minister, Minister …], dear colleagues,
I am honored to be with you today in beautiful Lviv, which historic center is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Strikes on this city also revealed the cruelty of Russia’s aggression and the attempt to erase Ukrainian culture and identity.
Croatia once again strongly condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine, which represents a blatant and serious violation of international law.
Thirty years ago, during the 1990-es, Croatia suffered a brutal aggression accompanied by war crimes and crimes against humanity. My hometown Dubrovnik, already included in the UNESCO World Heritage List at the time, also suffered severely in numerous heavy attacks deliberately aimed at it from the land and sea. Therefore, Croatia is keenly aware of the importance of ensuring accountability.
We know from our own experience how frustrating it can be to wait for the perpetrators to finally be held accountable. However, the fight against impunity has no alternative since there is no lasting and stable peace without justice. Accountability provides justice to the victims and helps to prevent future atrocities and contributes building a better future.
In this context, we welcome the successful finalization of the discussions on legal expert level within the core group, which represents a significant and crucial step forward bringing us closer to the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine under the auspices of the Council of Europe.
In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved participants for their excellent work and great efforts they have invested in this important process during the last two years. I would also like to call upon other States and international organizations to support the establishment of the Special Tribunal and the commencement of its functioning soon.
Croatia stands in full solidarity with Ukraine and its people, and emphasizes that we must all work together to ensure that no crime goes unpunished. We owe it to the victims of such horrendous crime. Peace must be just and principled.
Thank you.
Statement of the Republic of Costa Rica at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Distinguished President of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
Distinguished Prime Minister of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Denys Shmyhal,
Distinguished Secretary General of the Council of Europe, H.E. Mr. Alain Berset
Distinguished Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Andrii Sybiha
Distinguished High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas
Distinguished European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, H.E. Mr. Michael McGrath
Distinguished Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, H.E. Mr. Xavier Bettel
Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues and representatives:
It is an honour for me to address you on this Ministerial Meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Unfortunately, I could not join you in this historical gathering, but I take this opportunity to reiterate Costa Rica’s unwavering support to Ukraine, its government and people, as we have done during the past three years.
This meeting marks the successful completion of the work at the technical level on the three draft documents necessary for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This landmark moment represents the culmination of the work of the last two years and is not only another step forward in delivering justice to the Ukrainian people in the context of the unjustified aggression by Russia, but also a strong example of international cooperation, solidarity and the fight against impunity.
As an unarmed democracy, Costa Rica has placed its full trust in the rule of law at the international level. Costa Rica, as a matter of our State Foreign Policy, is committed to international criminal justice, and the strengthening of the international criminal justice system and the fight against impunity. That is why I must express that we are proud to have taken active part in this international effort. We are also very satisfied with the three robust documents that have resulted from this process. and that will be formally presented to the Council of Europe. We are confident that in the next phase, these documents will be examined in detail and with due care by the Council, and that the process will be brought to a successful conclusion.
I hope that soon Ukraine will be finally able to live in peace, with the assurances that the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations are upheld, and that the international rules-based order will continue to be the guiding light in international relations.
I thank you.
Statement of the Republic of Ireland at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Thank you President Zelenskyy and all the distinguished speakers for your contributions today. It is truly an honour to be in such eminent company.
Ireland has consistently supported the creation of a Special Tribunal for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. I recall that it was under the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers – in September 2022- that the Committee adopted its important decision calling on all members of the Council of Europe to actively engage in further developing a comprehensive system accountability for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. After over two years of work, I am now very pleased to be here in Lviv, to endorse on behalf of Ireland, the draft instruments developed by our legal experts.
These draft instruments are the result of careful and extensive negotiations. All involved had the unwavering goal of ensuring justice for Ukraine and accountability for those responsible for Russia’s egregious war of aggression. I would like to thank the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the External Action Service, all the members of the Core Group and – of course – our Ukrainian hosts, for their dedication, perseverance and creativity in reaching a conclusion that has the widest possible support.
Thanks to this work, we are able to mark an historic day today. This is the first time since Nuremberg that States have come together with the express intention of prosecuting those responsible for a specific act of aggression. It is fitting that we are gathered here in Lviv, a city whose storied history stands in the crucible of the development of international criminal law.
In reaching this step, we must also remember the solemn reason we are here. And that is to achieve justice for Ukraine and its people. Ireland stands shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people in their quest for accountability. This includes not just support for the Special Tribunal, but across a whole swathe of initiatives, including the investigations of the ICC, the work of the Register of Damage and negotiations to establish a claims commission.
This gathering is taking place at a time when the international legal order, which has ensured peace and prosperity in Europe , is coming under attack. It is a testament to the spirit of the Ukrainian people, that their response to the unspeakable atrocities that have been perpetrated against them has been grounded in international law and respect for human rights. By endorsing the creation of a Special Tribunal as a response to Russia’s invasion, we are collectively defending a world where law, not military might, is the final arbiter of what is just and right.
Ireland looks forward to supporting the next steps towards establishing the Special Tribunal in the Council of Europe. These steps will ensure that the draft instruments go from mere ink on a page, to real vehicles for achieving justice for the people of Ukraine.
Statement of the Swiss Confederation at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Dear President Zelenskyy,
Dear Prime Minister Shmyhal,
Your Excellencies,
Switzerland thanks you for having gathered us here in Lviv on this important occasion, marking the conclusion of the preparatory work of the Core Group. This is a crucial step towards the establishment of the Special Tribunal.
Switzerland has participated in this work in the firm belief that accountability for the crime of aggression as a leadership crime and the source of the immensurable suffering inflicted by the Russian Federation in Ukraine is essential. The proposal for the creation of a Special Tribunal sends a clear symbol that aggression is unacceptable and must not go unpunished.
At the same time, Switzerland notes that the proposal falls short of effectively holding to account those who bear the greatest responsibility, provides for trials in absentia and requires prior referral of cases. For Switzerland it is essential to ensure that no negative precedent is set, and that the creation of a new international judicial institution contributes to the strengthening of international criminal justice.
A next critical step will be the consideration of the proposals in the Council of Europe with a view to preparing the decisions on the establishment and support of the tribunal. Switzerland will continue to engage in this process and will take its decision once the final texts are available for adoption.
We thank Ukraine for its ample leadership in this endeavor and look forward to continuing to work with all of you to ensure that there is no impunity for aggression.
Thank you.
Statement of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
It is a fitting time and place for this discussion.
It is remarkable that eighty years ago, Allied governments were dealing with detained Nazis, and thinking about accountability for the atrocities.
Some considered simple revenge. But others favoured a different approach.
Holding those criminals accountable under international law.
Drawing in part on work by two great sons of this great city, Rafael Lemkin Sir Hersch Lauterpacht.
The resulting Nuremberg trials were a milestone in building a global order rooted in the rule of law and human rights.
Today, the pursuit of such a global order again seems a tall order.
Russia is waging a war of aggression, with mounting evidence that Russian soldiers are committing atrocities we would have hoped to consign to history – attacks which rain down on civilians, the deportation of children, torture and sexual abuse of civilians and prisoners of war.
Russian leaders show not the slightest concern for the lives of individuals or the laws of war.
But we need to remember figures like Lemkin were not naïve idealists. Indeed, Sir Hersch wrote about anchoring his philosophy of international law in the ‘realities of international life’.
Precisely our task today.
We have it in our hands to hold those responsible for the invasion of Ukraine to account. The UK is proud to have supported the idea of a Special Tribunal since the outset.
A Tribunal is an essential part of the armoury of justice, alongside the efforts of Ukrainian authorities to bring prosecutions inside Ukraine, and the work of the ICC.
As the country where Sir Hersch made his home, we are proud to support the Lviv Joint Statement and endorse the legal foundations for this Tribunal.
It will take time for a Tribunal to become operational. We support using the framework of the Council of Europe. But also believe we must expand the Core Group to more partners from beyond Europe.
The whole world is outraged at Russian crimes. The whole world should now come together to hold Russia to account. We must rally all countries in support of justice.
Our friends in Ukraine are staying true to the legacy of VE Day.
The legacy of Lemkin and Sir Hersch.
Thank you.
Statement of the Republic of Moldova at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honor and a solemn responsibility to address you today, in a forum where our collective efforts must rise to meet the profound challenges of prosecuting international crimes. As we gather to address the theme of accountability for the heinous crimes committed in Ukraine, it becomes imperative to reflect on the mechanisms that will enable us to ensure justice, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard human dignity.
Since February 24th, 2022, the Russian Federation has waged an unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine – a blatant violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the foundational principals of international law and of every norm that underpins our global legal order. This attack on a sovereign nation has shaken the very pillars of global peace and security. It is not just an assault on Ukraine, but an assault on the entire system of rules that protects the rights and safety of nations and people everywhere.
As a direct neighbor of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova has felt the shockwaves of this war acutely. From the earliest hours of the invasion, Moldova stood firm in condemnation of the Russia’s unlawful use of force. We have witnessed, firsthand, how Russia’s senseless aggression destabilizes not only Ukraine, but the entire region and the world. We have watched in sorrow as thousands of innocent lives have been lost – families destroyed, torn apart, children killed, and entire communities erased. Cities like Mariupol, Bakhmut and Kharkiv have been reduced to rubble. The war has displaced millions, traumatized generations and destroyed the livelihoods and dreams of countless Ukrainians. We deeply admire the courage and resilience of Ukraine and its people, and we will continue to stand in full solidarity with them until justice will be brought to them. Justice to Ukraine is justice for us all.
This is why the Republic of Moldova strongly supports the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
This exercise reconfirmed once again that the crime of aggression is not an abstract topic of debates. It is the crime that enabled countless loss of lives in Bucha, Mariupol, and many other atrocities across Ukraine, including crimes committed directly against children – and unless those responsible – particularly the top political and military leadership – are held accountable, we will all live under the threat of history repeating itself.
We commend the tireless efforts of the Ukrainian team, led by President Zelenskyy and legal experts, in advocating for this tribunal, for the determined, and visionary approach they have taken in pursuit of justice. Their standing is one of principle: a tribunal that is independent, international in character, and focused specifically on the crime of aggression – especially given that no existing Court currently has the jurisdiction to fully prosecute this crime.
We also are deeply grateful to Ukraine for not giving up – even when discussions were difficult, when some voices backed compromise or hybrid models, and when the path forward seemed uncertain. In moments of profound adversity, when some questioned the feasibility of international justice, Ukraine did not yield. Instead, it stood firm in its belief that the rule of law must prevail over the rule of force. Ukraine’s unwavering moral clarity and legal soundness in calling for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression has galvanized international support and reminded us of all that even in the face of immense suffering, the rule of law must prevail.
Thank you for your resilience, the call for justice has remained focused and uncompromised. Now together, we design a tribunal that is independent, international, and fully competent to prosecute the aggression. Let me be clear: international justice must not have blind spots. The crime of aggression is the „supreme international crime” often called the “mother of all crimes” or “the supreme crime under international law” – from which all other atrocities flow.
Together, as an international community, we must demonstrate that even the most powerful are not above the law. That sovereignty and territorial integrity are not negotiable. That aggression is not tolerated.
Today marks a milestone. The Lviv Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of the States participating in the Core Group reflects not just the result of diplomatic efforts, but a resolute commitment by a coalition of states to confront impunity through legal means. It is a testament to our shared moral responsibility and political will, necessary to establish a mechanism of accountability for the crime of aggression.
The Republic of Moldova fully supports the next decisive step: presentation by Ukraine of a formal letter to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, during the Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on May 14th, 2025, in Luxembourg, requesting the initiation of the Special Tribunal’s establishment process within the framework of the Council of Europe.
This request comes together with draft instruments prepared by the Core Group, the result of more than two years of joint legal and diplomatic work providing a solid legal and procedural foundation for the tribunal.
We welcome the fact that the Committee of Ministers launches work on these instruments, marking the official start of the institutional process for establishing the Special Tribunal. This is not only a historic development for Ukraine – it is a vital moment for Europe and for the future of international justice and our collective security.
Ladies and Gentlemen, colleagues,
Moldova knows what it means to live under the shadow of coercion. Our people have chosen democracy, peace, and the rule of law – and we stand with Ukraine not only in solidarity, but in defense of the international order to which we all belong.
History will judge us not only for what we did, but for what we failed to do. Let us seize this moment to put an end to impunity. Let us act with courage, decisively for Ukraine, but above all to uphold the credibility of international law and protect our common peace.
Let us act for Ukraine, for justice and for peace!
Thank you.
Speech by Commissioner McGrath at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Thank you, dear Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine [Iryna Mudra],
Dear Prime Minister Shmyhal,
Dear Minister Sybiha,
Dear High-Representative, Honourable colleagues,
I am delighted to be with you in Lviv today to express my strongest support for ensuring full accountability for Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine and to applaud the decisive progress we achieved together in establishing the Special Tribunal.
Over the last two years, a group of senior legal experts from almost 40 states has united in the pursuit of justice for Ukraine and to defend the international legal system. These States, Ukraine, the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the Council of Europe have worked together to deliver the essential foundations for the future Tribunal.
So, I would like to thank each and every one involved for your tireless commitment and dedication.
But it is to our friends from Ukraine that I must extend a special word of gratitude.
Under unimaginable pressure, and despite dire conditions, you have been sincere and pragmatic partners.
Ukraine and Ukrainians have stood strong not only in the defence of their people, sovereignty, and European future, but also of the international legal order and the international organisations established to uphold and promote it.
The Special Tribunal will play a crucial role in ensuring that the war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its people does not go unanswered.
Our mission from the start has been clear, urgent, and essential. Justice demands accountability for the perpetrators and reparation for victims, in particular for those that hold leading responsibility. The Special Tribunal will not only enable the truth of the war of aggression to be told and heard, but also serve the cause of a just peace.
Once the Special Tribunal has been established, Ukrainian national authorities will be able to refer ongoing domestic investigations and prosecutions related to the crime of aggression to the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal. Ukraine will also be able to transmit relevant information and evidence gathered by the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression, hosted by Eurojust in The Hague. The establishment of the Special Tribunal within the Council of Europe’s institutional framework, as well as the presence of international judges and relevant applicable international law, will ensure that criminal proceedings will be conducted in respect of the highest procedural safeguards and applicable international human rights law.
You have my full commitment to work towards the full setting up of the Tribunal and its start of operations as fast as possible.
The Commission will put forward a proposal for the Union’s participation in the Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Special Tribunal as a founding full member. And we will aim at securing the broadest possible international support for it.
This will revitalise the international legal order and bring international law away from the vanishing point and place it at the core of delivering justice for Ukraine and its people.
Thank you.
Statement of the Federal Republic of Germany at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
President Zelenskyy,
Prime Minister Shmiyhal,
Excellencies,
Dear colleagues,
these days we commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe 80 years ago.
As Foreign Minister of Germany I stand here today to pay tribute to all victims of the unspeakable suffering Nazi Germany has inflicted on its neighbouring countries – amongst them Ukraine.
After 1945, we hoped we would never again be forced to witness wars of aggression, attacks by one country on its peaceful neighbour.
The UN Charter, crafted from the ashes of World War II, sets out to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.
Yet, Russia flagrantly violates the most basic and foundational principles of international law enshrined in this Charter.
Russia has brought death, devastation and unspeakable suffering to Ukraine. Since the 24th of February 2022, Russia continues to attack the entire Ukrainian territory.
Russia is willingly and deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Russia has executed Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians alike.
Russia and its leadership must be held to account, both for the atrocities committed in the course of this war and for the aggression itself.
This is why Germany has supported the establishment of a special tribunal from day one and worked tirelessly to advance a sound legal basis for this tribunal, which is acceptable to all.
We have finalized the legal work to make this possible.
What we now need is political will.
Ukraine can count on Germany’s full support in this political process.
The crime of aggression committed by Russia must not go unpunished.
We stand steadfast by Ukraine in its strive for accountability and a just and lasting peace –
for the sake of Ukraine,
for the sake of justice and not least
for our own sake – for the sake of peace and security in Europe.
Thank you.
Statement of the Kingdom of Sweden at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
President, Excellencies, Ministers, colleagues and friends in Ukraine and of Ukraine:
It is a great honor to be here in Lviv and participate in this groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a decisive step towards setting up an accountability mechanism to prosecute a crime that has not been prosecuted since the Tribunals at Nuremberg and Tokyo.
For more than three years, Ukraine has courageously defended its country and people against the Russian aggressor. But Ukraine has done so at great costs. Report after report from independent mechanisms have concluded that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has been marked by war crimes and grave violations of human rights law. Countless innocent lives have been lost or shattered.
The devastating consequences of Russia’s aggression will be felt for generations to come. We salute the hard work being carried out by Ukrainian authorities on the ground, together with the International Criminal Court and other partners, to investigate and prosecute these Russian violations. But the very decision to bring this onslaught on Ukraine remains out of jurisdictional reach. It is unconceivable that the authors of this flagrant violation of the UN Charter would escape accountability for the crime of aggression.
Therefore, Sweden was one of the original members of the Core Group to establish the special tribunal. The discussions have been difficult at times. To reach the result that we are celebrating today, all of us have made compromises and moved from initial positions. But we have been guided by the same goal: To achieve accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
We wholeheartedly welcome this significant step closer to accountability for this crime and express our sincere gratitude also to the EEAS, European Commission and Council of Europe for their great efforts in this process. Support to Ukraine is Sweden’s foremost foreign policy priority and supporting the work towards the establishment of a special tribunal is a key part of this support.
The reason for this is simple: supporting Ukraine is not just a moral duty, but also an investment in our own security. It is in our common interest to keep Ukraine strong and Russia weak. That is why Sweden recently announced its largest military and civilian support packages to Ukraine to date. In total we have contributed 8,3 billion Euro since Russia’s full-scale invasion and we are ready to do more.
The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they are grinding. The road towards justice for Ukraine will be long, but today we celebrate another important step. Impunity is not an option. The Russian leadership and other potential aggressors must not draw the conclusion that violations of international law will pass without consequences. Such conclusions would risk renewed aggression and undermine global security. Our efforts for full accountability will continue unabated. Sweden’s support to Ukraine remains steadfast. Slava Ukraini.Statement of the Republic of Latvia at the Ministerial meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
We celebrate Europe day together with our Ukrainian friends for a reason. Ukraine is Europe. Ukraine will become part of the European Union. It is Ukraine’s and the EU’s decision. And nobody else’s.
We know from our experience why achieving Russia’s accountability for the crime of aggression is crucial for peace and security today. Not only in Ukraine, but across all of Europe.
Neither the Soviet nor the Russian authorities have ever faced international accountability for crimes committed during or after the Second World War.
We see the consequences of this lack of accountability today. Impunity breeds future generations of war criminals, rapists, and murderers.
Many of those can be seen marching on the Red Square today, leaving a bloody trail from their atrocities in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, and many other Ukrainian cities.
Today, we must learn the lessons of World War II and apply them with urgency in support of Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
One of these lessons is that accountability is not optional.
This is why the work on establishing the Special tribunal on Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine must be finalised as soon as possible.
As we establish the Tribunal, we will be able, for the first time since the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials, to bring to justice individuals who committed the crime of aggression, or as we called it back then – crimes against peace.
Unfortunately, existing mechanisms could not and still cannot exercise jurisdiction to prosecute the perpetrators.
A Special Tribunal is, therefore, necessary to ensure that Russia’s senior officials are held accountable.
Latvia remains strongly committed to supporting Ukraine in its self-defence and its efforts to ensure accountability.
Latvia is an active member of the Core Group and is proud to have hosted its 12th meeting in November 2024, where the Vienna-Riga statement was adopted.
In this spirit, we must strive to ensure broad cross-regional support for the Special Tribunal.
I am proud that after two years of intensive work, the Core Group has come to a common understanding regarding the Special Tribunal under the auspices of the Council of Europe.
We must extend our support for the Register of Damage and make progress in establishing the Claims Commission and the compensation fund.
Justice must be served. Accountability is not optional.
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