Thirty-six nations approve special tribunal to prosecute Russiaspecial tribunal to prosecute Russia over Ukraine invasion
Thirty-four European states plus Australia, Costa Rica, and the European Union approved the creation of a special tribunal on May 15 to prosecute Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The Council of Europe's foreign ministers adopted a resolution establishing the legal framework for the future court. The tribunal represents a significant step toward international accountability for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict.
Western and Allied Position
The tribunal creation reflects a commitment by democratic nations to hold Russia accountable for violations of international law and the UN Charter. Supporters view the court as essential for documenting war crimes, protecting civilians, and establishing a legal precedent that aggression carries consequences. The broad coalition signals unified resolve to pursue justice despite ongoing military operations.
Russian Position
Russia has consistently rejected the legitimacy of any tribunal established without its participation or UN Security Council authorization. Moscow characterizes such proceedings as politically motivated and argues that only the UN Security Council—where Russia holds veto power—has authority to create international criminal courts. Russia views the tribunal as an attempt to delegitimize its military operations in Ukraine.
- The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, already issued arrest warrants for Russian officials but lacks enforcement power without state cooperation.
- Ukraine's own domestic courts have prosecuted some Russian soldiers for war crimes, but an international tribunal carries greater symbolic and legal weight.
- The last major international tribunal for a European conflict was the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, established in 1993.
Russia-Ukraine War
Russia and Ukraine are locked in an retaliatory long-range drone and missile war that now strikes deep into both countries, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea, and major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv and Dnipro. Ukrainian forces launched one of their largest drone attacks on June 26, striking 12 Russian regions and hitting key energy targets, while Russia continues massive retaliatory bombardments that kill civilians and destroy infrastructure.
26 June, 09:41 AM
Ukraine unleashes massive drone bombardment on 12 Russian regions24 June, 10:31 AM
Ukrainian drones knock out power in Russian-held Sevastopol22 June, 03:20 PM
Ukraine strikes Russian missile electronics plant in Voronezh
