Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Germany, the United Kingdom, and Moldova have confirmed their willingness to join the Extended Partial Agreement on the Special Tribunal for investigating Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This announcement was made during a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv on March 31.
Sybiha emphasized the ongoing commitment to hold Russian perpetrators accountable, stating, “The issue of punishing Russian criminals will never be removed from the agenda. Justice is critically necessary for sustainable peace.” He noted that the processes aimed at accountability also strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position.
“We have concrete results today, including new decisions regarding the agreement on the special tribunal. Three additional countries—Germany, the United Kingdom, and Moldova—have officially expressed their readiness to join,” Sybiha said.
Currently, 13 member states of the Council of Europe and one country from outside the continent have joined this initiative. Sybiha expressed hope for a significantly larger number of participants and called for collaborative efforts to expand the coalition.
“We expect to hear additional announcements in the coming days, and we are actively working on this together. I want to highlight the central leadership role of the Council of Europe and its Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić, in the process of establishing the Special Tribunal,” he added.
In March, Sweden and Estonia also confirmed their intention to join the agreement for the establishment of the Special Tribunal to investigate Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Background on the Special Tribunal for Russian Aggression
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly recognized Russia as a terrorist state on November 21, 2022, and supported a resolution advocating for the creation of a Special Tribunal to address the issue of Russian aggression. However, this decision requires individual endorsement from each country at the national level.
On November 8, 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament passed a bill establishing a Register of Damages caused by Russia, aimed at protecting the rights and interests of Ukraine and its citizens. This legislation facilitates the submission of claims for damages incurred due to the war and promotes the establishment of compensation mechanisms.
On March 22, 2024, an office for the Register of Damages caused by Russia was opened in Kyiv, staffed by approximately ten legal and communication professionals. They are set to begin accepting claims for compensation, starting with those related to destroyed housing.
On May 9, 2025, EU foreign ministers and senior representatives approved the launch of the special tribunal addressing the aggression of Russia’s military-political leadership against Ukraine.
The tribunal will operate in The Hague. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has indicated that the first decisions from the tribunal are expected by 2026.
On May 14, the Council of Europe endorsed the establishment of the Special Tribunal concerning Russian aggression, with over 40 countries already part of the coalition.
On June 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary General Aline Berse signed an agreement to create the Special Tribunal for investigating Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The final version of the tribunal’s statute was published on the Council of Europe’s website.
On July 15, 2025, the Ukrainian Parliament ratified the agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe regarding the establishment of the Special Tribunal for investigating Russia’s aggression.
The announcement of Germany, the UK, and Moldova joining the initiative for a Special Tribunal on Russian aggression marks a significant step in international accountability efforts. With 13 countries already involved, Ukraine seeks to expand participation further.