The Council of Europe's Secretary-General gave the green light to move from collecting signatures to taking action to set up a Nuremberg-style court to try Russia's leadership for its war of aggression against Ukraine during a summit of 46 European foreign ministers in Moldova on May 15.
36 countries and the European Union have committed to supporting the Special Tribunal, and the Netherlands has carried out preparatory work to host the court in The Hague.
"Today is a historic day … The Hague will restore justice from the ruins of war," said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
The tribunal is needed because no court exists with the remit to try the crime of aggression, i.e., the decision to start and carry out an illegal war.
In the tribunal's cross-hairs is Russian President Vladimir Putin, members of his inner circle, and potentially other countries. Sybiha mentioned Belarus' leader, Alexander Lukashenko. North Korean leaders could also feature, given that they have also sent soldiers to attack Ukraine.
