Ukraine announced a pivotal step toward establishing a Special Tribunal to prosecute aggression. International endorsements now surpass the legal minimum, clearing the way for a ministerial vote in May.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga said this on X.
“Iceland and Poland have confirmed their readiness to join the agreement necessary to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We thank our Icelandic and Polish partners for this important step. This marks a turning point: with 17 ratifications we have officially crossed the legal minimum number of member states required to vote on the agreement.”
– Andriy Sibiga
Steps toward the establishment of the Special Tribunal
The Expanded Partial Agreement (EPA) on the Governing Committee of the Special Tribunal can now be brought forward for consideration and adopted at the meeting of the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee at the ministerial level in Chisinau on May 14–15.
“It has been less than a year since we gave the green light to the Tribunal on May 9, 2025, when we gathered the foreign ministers of European countries in Lviv. And now we have prepared all the legal steps to begin the work of the Tribunal.”
– Andriy Sibiga
Sibiga stressed that Ukraine will continue gathering signatures from countries to join – both within the Council of Europe and beyond, across all continents and regions – and called on all states to join the historic efforts toward accountability.
“Criminals in Moscow must understand that justice is inevitable. From ordinary Russian perpetrators to the highest military and political leadership. Accountability is essential for lasting peace.”
– Andriy Sibiga
Deputy Head of the President’s Office Iryna Mudra noted that the key practical step to launch the Special Tribunal would be the signing of the Expanded Partial Agreement on the Governing Committee, which could take place in May.
Everything points to steady forward movement: Ukraine continues to push the initiative and gather support among countries worldwide to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and to launch the work of the future tribunal.