Metaculus

When will Vladimir Putin cease to hold the office of President of Russia?

Liz Truss

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Jake Sullivan

Dmitry Peskov

John Kirby

Daniel DePetris

Mykhailo Podolyak

Petro Poroshenko

Andrey Illarionov

Dmytro Kuleba

David Von Drehle

Oleksiy Reznikov

Sergei Shoigu

Dmitry Gorenburg

Ivan Losev

Aleksey Arestovich

Andrzej Duda

James Stavridis

Dmitry Medvedev

Jason Jay Smart

Beth Knobe

Dmitri Alperovitch

Richard Branson

When Will the Russia-Ukraine War End?

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset have agreed to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, aiming to prosecute Russian leaders for launching the invasion in February 2022.

France 24

EuroNews

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset have agreed to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, aiming to prosecute Russian leaders for launching the invasion in February 2022.

This is the first time the Council of Europe establish a special tribunal to prosecute high-level political and military leaders for using armed force against Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter. It could potentially target senior Russian officials, including President Putin, although sitting heads of state have immunity from prosecution.

Al Jazeera

Euromaidan Press

This is the first time the Council of Europe establish a special tribunal to  prosecute high-level political and military leaders for using armed force against Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter. It could potentially target senior Russian officials, including President Putin, although sitting heads of state have immunity from prosecution.

The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and four Russian commanders for allegedly abducting Ukrainian children and targeting civilians. The new tribunal, which can hold trials in absentia and has no statute of limitations on aggression crimes, complements the International Criminal Court's efforts in Ukraine.

Arab News

Associated Press

The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and four Russian commanders for allegedly abducting Ukrainian children and targeting civilians. The new tribunal, which can hold trials in absentia and has no statute of limitations on aggression crimes, complements the International Criminal Court's efforts in Ukraine.

The Tribunal's logistical details, including its location, remain unresolved, but The Hague has been suggested due to its legal infrastructure, which Zelenskyy called "perfect." Funding will come from a Core Group of 40 countries, while the Trump administration has withdrawn US support for the initiative.

Newsmax

The Tribunal's logistical details, including its location, remain unresolved, but The Hague has been suggested due to its legal infrastructure, which Zelenskyy called "perfect." Funding will come from a Core Group of 40 countries, while the Trump administration has withdrawn US support for the initiative.

The tribunal's prosecutorial independence has raised concerns among legal experts, as the agreement gives Ukraine's Prosecutor General sole authority to submit names and evidence to initiate cases. International law scholar Gleb Bogush noted this "raises serious concerns about impartiality" and significantly limits the tribunal's ability to act independently of Ukrainian referrals.</span

The Kyiv Independent

The tribunal's prosecutorial independence has raised concerns among legal experts, as the agreement gives Ukraine's Prosecutor General sole authority to submit names and evidence to initiate cases. International law scholar Gleb Bogush noted this "raises serious concerns about impartiality" and significantly limits the tribunal's ability to act independently of Ukrainian referrals.

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for European unity and strong ties with the United States under President Trump following their meeting at the NATO summit in The Hague. The Ukrainian president stated that "aggression leads to punishment" and called for "strong political and legal courage" to ensure Russian war criminals face justice, comparing the tribunal to post-World War II Nuremberg trials.</span

The Straits Times

Le Monde.fr

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for European unity and strong ties with the United States under President Trump following their meeting at the NATO summit in The Hague. The Ukrainian president stated that "aggression leads to punishment" and called for "strong political and legal courage" to ensure Russian war criminals face justice, comparing the tribunal to post-World War II Nuremberg trials.

Metaculus #0

The special tribunal represents the first time the Council of Europe has established such a court, with the mandate to prosecute high-level political and military figures responsible for the decision to use armed force against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter. The tribunal could theoretically prosecute senior Russian officials up to President Vladimir Putin, though sitting heads of state enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office.</span

Euromaidan Press #

Al Jazeera #

The special tribunal represents the first time the Council of Europe has established such a court, with the mandate to prosecute high-level political and military figures responsible for the decision to use armed force against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter. The tribunal could theoretically prosecute senior Russian officials up to President Vladimir Putin, though sitting heads of state enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office.

The International Criminal Court already issued arrest warrants for Putin over the abduction of Ukrainian children and four Russian commanders for targeting civilians, but lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the crime of aggression. The new tribunal complements the ICC's efforts by specifically targeting officials responsible for starting the war, with the ability to hold trials in absentia and no statute of limitations on aggression crimes.</span

Arab News #

Associated Press #

The International Criminal Court already issued arrest warrants for Putin over the abduction of Ukrainian children and four Russian commanders for targeting civilians, but lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the crime of aggression. The new tribunal complements the ICC's efforts by specifically targeting officials responsible for starting the war, with the ability to hold trials in absentia and no statute of limitations on aggression crimes.

Logistical details remain unresolved, including the tribunal's location, though The Hague has been suggested due to its existing legal infrastructure and Zelenskyy called it "perfect." The institution will be funded by the Core Group of 40 supporting countries, including the Netherlands, Japan and Canada, though the Trump administration withdrew U.S. support for the initiative.</span

EuroNews #

Newsmax #

Logistical details remain unresolved, including the tribunal's location, though The Hague has been suggested due to its existing legal infrastructure and Zelenskyy called it "perfect." The institution will be funded by the Core Group of 40 supporting countries, including the Netherlands, Japan and Canada, though the Trump administration withdrew U.S. support for the initiative.

The Kyiv Independent #

The Straits Times #

Le Monde.fr #

The tribunal's structure raises serious questions about fairness and independence, with Ukraine controlling which cases get prosecuted. Legal immunity protections mean Putin and other top officials remain untouchable while in power, making this more symbolic than substantive. The withdrawal of U.S. support under Trump further undermines the court's credibility and effectiveness.

The tribunal's structure raises serious questions about fairness and independence, with Ukraine controlling which cases get prosecuted. Legal immunity protections mean Putin and other top officials remain untouchable while in power, making this more symbolic than substantive. The withdrawal of U.S. support under Trump further undermines the court's credibility and effectiveness.

Zelenskyy Will Sign Off on Special Tribunal to Prosecute Russian Leaders Over Ukraine

Ukraine Europe War Tribunal Putin

Ukraine, Council of Europe Sign Accord for Russia War Tribunal

Europe

Russia

Ukraine

War crimes

This tribunal represents a historic step toward accountability for Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The international community cannot allow Putin and his cronies to escape justice for launching an illegal war that has caused immense suffering. While the ICC handles war crimes, this new court fills a critical gap by targeting the fundamental decision to invade a sovereign nation.

This tribunal represents a historic step toward accountability for Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The international community cannot allow Putin and his cronies to escape justice for launching an illegal war that has caused immense suffering. While the ICC handles war crimes, this new court fills a critical gap by targeting the fundamental decision to invade a sovereign nation.

What is the special tribunal for Ukraine that world leaders have backed?

Zelensky and Council of Europe rights body sign accord for Ukraine war tribunal

Ukraine, Council of Europe Sign Accord for Russia War Tribunal

Ukraine, Council of Europe Sign Accord for Russia War Tribunal

The Spin

The Controversies

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Ukraine, Council of Europe Sign Accord for Russia War Tribunal

Ukraine, Council of Europe Sign Accord for Russia War Tribunal

The Spin

The Controversies

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters