The Hague, Netherlands
Ukrainian President Voldy Mirzelensky officially approved the creation of a new international court on Wednesday, designed to indict high-ranking Russian officials for their roles in the large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This special court will come into existence through a pact between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, which is the leading human rights entity on the continent. Zelenskyy made his inaugural visit to the Strasbourg-based organization in connection with this announcement.
The court’s mission is to hold senior Russian leaders accountable for “crimes of attack,” aiming to address numerous war crimes that Ukraine has accused Russian forces of committing since the invasion began on February 24, 2022.
Since the onset of the conflict, Kyiv has advocated for the establishment of special courts, pointing to violations such as bombing civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, sexual violence, hostage-taking, and torture—alongside addressing alleged war crimes by the Russian military. Russia has refuted these claims.
There are still various logistical matters to iron out, including the court’s location. While The Hague has been suggested due to its existing legal infrastructure, no final determination has been made.
Russia has not extradited its citizens, leaving the question of whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will face charges uncertain.
According to international law, heads of state and other high-ranking officials—often referred to as “troikas,” which include leaders and foreign ministers—typically enjoy certain protections from prosecution. This means any potential charges against Putin can only proceed if he remains in office.
There are no legal restrictions concerning crimes of aggression.
The court will be supported financially by countries forming core groups, including the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada. The initiative received backing from the United States under former President Joe Biden, though it was not supported during President Donald Trump’s administration.
