Zelensky calls to support the creation of a tribunal for Russia. European deputies decided to

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Europe to provide political support for the creation of a tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine. He said this at a meeting of European foreign ministers in Lviv on May 9.

The President noted that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale war against Ukraine because he escaped punishment for previous wars. And this cannot be allowed to happen again .

Zelenskyy noted that EU representatives are facing a decision to create a mechanism that can prevent future wars through accountability.

"I call on the whole of Europe and our democratic friends in the world to give this decision their political support. Russia must be held accountable for its aggression just as the Nazis were. A rigorous tribunal for the crime of aggression can – and should – make any potential aggressor think twice," the President emphasized .

According to him, the decision should be supported not only in Europe, but also in the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that foreign ministers adopted the Lviv statement, which provides political support for the establishment of the Special Tribunal.

"The tribunal will soon be formally established within the Council of Europe. I thank the Council of Europe and its Secretary, Alain Berset, for their central role in this process," he said .

According to Sibiga, the tribunal will work in The Hague and will be able to bring the Russian political and military leadership to justice for the crime of aggression.

• on April 30, 2024, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe instructed the Secretary General to prepare documents for concluding an agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
• In early February 2025, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said that a special tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression against Ukraine could be established as early as this year, if an agreement is reached at the international level.
• On May 8, it was reported that the EU would announce the establishment of a tribunal for Russia's war crimes against Ukraine on May 9.