Zelensky and the Council of Europe sign agreement to establish a court for the war in Ukraine!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General Alain Berset signed an agreement on Wednesday in Strasbourg to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
The special tribunal aims to prosecute senior Russian leaders for the "countless war crimes" that Ukraine accuses Russian forces of committing since the start of the full-scale occupation of the Kremlin in February 2022.
Existing international courts, including the International Criminal Court in The Hague, do not have jurisdiction to prosecute Russian citizens for that specific criminal offense. "Justice for Ukraine will not wait," Berset said before the signing ceremony with Zelensky.
"For the first time, an international court dedicated to addressing the crime of aggression is being created. Established within the framework of the Council of Europe, this court will hold accountable those who have used force in violation of the UN Charter," he added.
Zelensky referred to the tribunals held to try Nazis after World War II and the one in The Hague that tried individuals accused of war crimes during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, arguing that they should be a basis for how Russian officials should be held accountable.
"We all remember the court that brought justice after the horrors of Nazism. And the world will never forget Nuremberg. Years later, when hatred and war returned to parts of Europe, another court was needed, this time for crimes in the former Yugoslavia," Zelensky said in a speech to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
"Now we need the same for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This crime must be judged clearly and fully. The world needs a fair and historic decision, so that all those responsible for this war must be held accountable ," the Ukrainian leader added.
Zelensky expressed optimism that the court is a "real chance" to finally restore justice for the people of Ukraine who have suffered "unspeakable crimes" at the hands of Russian forces. Zelensky also demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he accused of being a "war criminal," be tried.
"Other institutions, even international ones, do not have the means to do this. And we must clearly show that aggression leads to punishment."
Logistical details remain to be worked out, including the location of the court. The Hague has been suggested because of its existing legal infrastructure, which Zelensky says would be a "perfect" location, but a final decision has not yet been made.
The institution will be funded by supporting countries known as the Core Group, which consists of 40 countries. The United States supported the project under former President Joe Biden, but the administration of President Donald Trump did not support the initiative.
US and Iran to resume negotiations next week - Focus on talks over Tehran's nuclear program
Israel and Iran appeared to respect a fragile ceasefire between them for a second day, and US President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian......
State system for tourism data - What are the institutions and entities that will contribute to the sector?
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has drafted a draft decision aimed at establishing a state data system for the tourism sector, which will include......
Where are the 4 thousand young people who are "missing" this year? The labor market/ Age group 15-29 years old, in the "trap" of inactivity and emigration
The employment rate in the first three months of the year reached 58.3% for the population over 15 years old, a modest increase compared to the previous......
The US Dollar Weakens Again - What Happened in the Foreign Exchange Market Today?
The US dollar was bought today at 83.1 lek and sold at 84.6 lek, recording another decline from yesterday according to the local exchange rate. The European......
Years of work for former agricultural enterprises are recognized - Government approves the decision. How many people are expected to benefit?
The Council of Ministers has approved the list of former agricultural enterprises, according to the year of establishment and the territory of activity, for......
Who are the big losers of the Israel-Iran conflict? - The interests of many superpowers intersect in the Middle East
It is not yet clear whether the conflict between Israel and Iran has finally ended, despite the United States declaring a ceasefire. A renewed tension in......
NATO countries adopt 5% target - Members commit to increasing defense spending
NATO countries approved an increase in military spending to 5% of GDP. Leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense in the event of an......
Ibiza, the other side of the coin - The housing crisis "burdens" local residents
Beneath Ibiza's sun-kissed beaches and legendary nightlife lies a deep housing crisis, exacerbated by a post-pandemic surge in visitors. This has created an......
