The EU officially joined the agreement on the creation of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine

“The Special Tribunal on the aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine — the EU has officially joined the agreement. The document defines the institutional, financial, and administrative mechanisms for the operation of the Special Tribunal. The European Commission announced its accession to the agreement on behalf of the EU. Following this decision, participating states and organizations will be able to ratify the Convention, which will formally establish the Special Tribunal. This body will have the authority to investigate and prosecute senior russian political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, - writes “DW Glavnoe” on May 15.

Media reports say that the accession ceremony to the agreement took place in Chișinău. In total, 36 states and the European Union agreed to adopt the enlarged partial agreement — an international treaty that provides for the creation of a governing committee for the Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The European Commission also ratified on behalf of the EU the Convention on the establishment of the International Claims Commission regarding Ukraine. The Convention will enter into force after 25 ratifications and the availability of sufficient financial contributions. After that, the Claims Commission will be able to begin its work.

The EU is allocating 10 million euros for the work of the tribunal and about 1 million euros for the work of the commission.

“Russia must face justice”, - Kaja Kallas stated in connection with this decision. According to her, “there will be no just and lasting peace in Ukraine without holding russia and those guilty of terrible crimes committed against the people of Ukraine accountable”.

“We are creating an accountability infrastructure based on three main elements: the Special Tribunal, the Register of Damage, and the Compensation Commission. I also want to emphasize: accountability will never become a subject of compromise. Justice is an integral element of lasting peace”, - stated Andrii Sybiha.