Iceland and Poland have confirmed their readiness to join an agreement aimed at establishing a Special Tribunal to investigate crimes of Russian aggression against Ukraine. This development marks a significant milestone, as it brings the total number of confirmations to 17, surpassing the legal minimum required for a vote on the agreement.
The announcement was made by a representative from Ukraine, who expressed gratitude towards the Icelandic and Polish partners for this crucial step. The agreement, known as an Extended Partial Agreement (EPA), is set to be presented for approval during the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe meeting in Chișinău on May 14-15.
Less than a year has passed since the green light was given for the Tribunal on May 9, 2025, during a gathering of European foreign ministers in Lviv. All necessary legal steps have now been prepared to initiate the Tribunal’s operations.
Ukraine continues to seek additional signatures from countries wishing to join the initiative, both within the Council of Europe and beyond, across all continents and regions. The Ukrainian official emphasized the importance of global participation in these historic accountability efforts, stating that those responsible for crimes in Moscow must understand that justice is inevitable.
The ongoing work in Europe aims to establish a Special Tribunal specifically addressing the crime of aggression against Ukraine. In June of the previous year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Alena Berze, signed an agreement to create this tribunal.
This initiative was politically launched during a key international meeting in Lviv on May 9, 2025, where foreign ministers from numerous European nations, along with representatives from the Council of Europe, agreed to move forward with the practical implementation of the mechanism intended to hold Russia’s military and political leadership accountable for the war.
This decision represents the first official step toward establishing a dedicated international court, which will complement the work of other institutions, including the International Criminal Court, while focusing specifically on the crime of aggression. Following this, countries have begun preparing agreements, gathering support, and forming the legal framework for the tribunal, which is planned to be located in The Hague.
Reports indicate that at least 25 nations have expressed their willingness to participate in the special tribunal addressing the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
Iceland and Poland have confirmed their commitment to join an agreement for a Special Tribunal investigating Russian aggression against Ukraine. This brings the total to 17 countries, paving the way for a vote on the initiative at an upcoming Council of Europe meeting.