The proposed Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine aims to hold accountable not only Russia’s top political and military leaders but also those from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, who are alleged to support Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This assertion was made by Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, during an international justice conference held on February 23.
Mudra emphasized that the tribunal’s statute is designed to encompass leaders from these nations, indicating their complicity in the war. She noted that North Korean soldiers are reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces, while components from Iran and North Korea are being utilized in the production of drones employed in attacks against Ukraine.
“All leaders of aggressor states must be held accountable, and the tribunal’s statute provides for this,” she stated.
In addition to these developments, Mudra mentioned that Ukraine has recently imposed sanctions on Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and is seeking support from European and Western partners to uphold these measures.
During the conference, Mudra also outlined plans for the tribunal’s establishment, stating that by 2026, Ukraine and its partners intend to begin operational preparations in the Netherlands, including selecting a venue, determining the number of prosecutors and judges, and agreeing on procedural rules.
Background on the Special Tribunal for Russian Aggression
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly recognized Russia as a terrorist state on November 21, 2022, and endorsed a resolution advocating for the creation of a special tribunal to address Russia’s acts of aggression. This initiative requires national-level support from each member state.
On November 8, 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament approved a draft law concerning a Register of Damages caused by Russia. This legislation is aimed at protecting the rights and interests of Ukraine and its citizens, allowing for the documentation of damages incurred due to the war and facilitating the establishment of compensation mechanisms. Subsequently, on March 22, 2024, an office for this register was inaugurated in Kyiv.
On May 9, 2025, foreign ministers from European Union member states and senior officials endorsed the initiation of a special tribunal focused on the military-political leadership of Russia in relation to Ukraine.
The tribunal is set to operate in The Hague, with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, expressing expectations for initial rulings by 2026.
On May 14, 2025, the Council of Europe supported the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Russian Aggression, with over 40 countries forming a coalition to support this initiative.
On June 25, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić signed an agreement to establish the tribunal, with the final version of its statute published on the Council of Europe’s website.
On July 15, 2025, the Ukrainian Parliament ratified the agreement regarding the tribunal’s establishment with the Council of Europe.
The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine will hold accountable not only Russian leaders but also those from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea. Ukraine is actively seeking international support for sanctions against these nations as part of its broader efforts to address the ongoing conflict.