Russia is threatening countries that join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated it will not recognize the tribunal, according to the BBC Russian Service.

Moscow has also warned third countries against joining the initiative.

“We will regard the accession of any state to the special tribunal as a hostile move — one that signals not a desire for resolution, but for escalation of the current crisis around Ukraine,” says Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

She also threatened such countries with “restrictive measures.”

Earlier, Euromaidan Press wrote that despite immunity for top leaders, the tribunal will be empowered to investigate and try other senior Russian and Belarusian officials, potentially even in absentia. Legal experts believe this still sends a strong message about international accountability.

Ukraine and Europe launch war tribunal — just not for Putin

Ukraine and the Council of Europe have signed a formal agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, marking a step toward legal accountability for Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The signing ceremony, held in Strasbourg, was broadcast live on the Council of Europe’s official website. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Alain Berset, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, formalized the agreement.

“Every war criminal must know: justice will prevail — and that includes Russia,” said Zelenskyy.

Tribunal to target senior Russian leadership — with limits

The tribunal is designed to prosecute high-level political and military figures responsible for launching the war against Ukraine. However, under current international law, sitting officials such as President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov enjoy legal immunity.

This means they cannot be prosecuted while in office. Trials can only begin once they leave power.

“This was a necessary compromise,” international law scholar Gleb Bogush of the University of Cologne told the BBC. “The G7 — especially the US — insisted on maintaining immunity for top officials. It sets a troubling precedent.”

Tribunal can still try other Russian and Belarusian officials

Despite immunity for top leaders, the tribunal will be empowered to investigate and try other senior Russian and Belarusian officials, potentially even in absentia. Legal experts believe this still sends a strong message about international accountability.

Bogush noted that the tribunal’s presence serves as a “persistent reminder” of the crime of aggression and the obligation to prosecute it under international law.

Questions raised over independence of investigations

The tribunal’s prosecutorial independence has already sparked debate. The agreement gives the Ukrainian Prosecutor General the sole authority to submit names and evidence to initiate cases. The tribunal’s prosecutor cannot act independently of Ukraine’s referral.

“This raises serious concerns about impartiality,” said Bogush. “The tribunal’s ability to act freely is significantly limited.”

Filling the legal gap left by the International Criminal Court

The Special Tribunal is being created to fill a jurisdictional gap in international law. The International Criminal Court (ICC) can investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, but not the crime of aggression unless both states involved have ratified the Rome Statute.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine had ratified the statute when the war began. Ukraine formally ratified it in August 2024, and cooperation between the ICC and the new tribunal is expected going forward.

Structure, location, and next steps

The tribunal’s statute was approved by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on 24 June. It will consist of 15 judges, appointed by a committee made up of representatives from participating states.

While the location has not been confirmed, The Hague remains a likely option. The agreement is open to Council of Europe members and other interested countries.

Zelenskyy’s visit follows NATO summit

President Zelenskyy traveled to Strasbourg following his participation in the NATO summit in The Hague. He is also expected to address the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers later in the day.

Russia formally withdrew from the Council of Europe in 2022 after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its membership had been suspended prior to the withdrawal.

Why they say it’s a win — even if Putin walks for now

• First international court effort aimed at prosecuting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
• Builds legal pressure on Russian officials for launching the invasion.
• Highlights how Putin and other top leaders remain protected by legal immunity while in office.
• Shows the trade-offs behind creating global justice mechanisms through political compromise.
• Supports Ukraine’s broader strategy to seek legal accountability after the war.

Ukraine and the Council of Europe signed a historic agreement on June 25 to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, marking a major step toward holding Russia's leadership accountable for launching the full-scale invasion in 2022.

The agreement was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset during a ceremony in Strasbourg, France – following more than three years of diplomatic efforts and deliberation.

Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Zelensky thanked the assembly and underscored the importance of justice.

"Everyone responsible for this war must be held to account," he said. "Every war criminal must face justice – including Putin... the crime of aggression must be recorded, judged, and punished."

Zelensky also praised PACE for its "real leadership" in taking a stand against Russia and developing the tribunal.

"It was here in this assembly, that the first call for such a tribunal was made," Zelensky said. "The idea was born here – and now it’s gaining real support from partner countries in Europe and beyond."

The Special Tribunal will be established within the framework of the Council of Europe and will have the mandate to prosecute senior Russian leaders for the crime of aggression – defined as the decision to use armed force against another state, in violation of the United Nations Charter.

President Zelensky has long advocated for the creation of the tribunal, emphasizing the need to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials to justice. Ukrainian prosecutors have documented thousands of war crimes committed by Russian forces, including attacks on civilians, cultural landmarks, medical facilities, and reports of torture and forced deportations.

The tribunal is intended to close a key legal gap in existing international accountability mechanisms.

While the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Ukraine – and has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia – it cannot examine the crime of aggression due to jurisdictional constraints.

The new tribunal will complement the ICC's efforts by specifically targeting high-level officials responsible for starting the war – such as Putin and his inner circle.

In addition to the special tribunal, the Council of Europe’s Ukraine-related work  includes the Register of Damage – an initiative that has already received more than 34,000 claims detailing losses and harms resulting from Russia's full-scale invasion.

The establishment of the register, and now the special tribunal, are important steps to ensure justice for Ukraine and its people.

Zelensky, Trump hold talks on NATO summit sidelines

“We covered all the truly important issues,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer.”

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

The Council of Europe and Ukraine will sign an agreement on June 25 to set up a special tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression, Yevheniya Kravchuk, a member of Ukraine's delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said on June 24.

The move marks a milestone in international efforts to hold President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials accountable for launching the full-scale war against Ukraine.

"What seemed like a dream of justice will soon become a reality. Ukraine, together with the Council of Europe, will sign an agreement that will bring Russia to justice," Kravchuk wrote on Facebook.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stressed that the special tribunal will have jurisdiction over the Russian president, prime minister, foreign minister, and other top officials.

"It is not a matter of debate anymore, only a matter of time. Some will get into the hands of justice sooner, some later, but they will all be held accountable. There are no exceptions," Stefanishyna told the Kyiv Independent. "It's critical to restore the international rule of law and prevent future acts of aggression."

The tribunal's jurisdiction covers all aspects of the crime of aggression, including the planning, preparation, initiation, or execution of acts of aggression, according to Stefanishyna.

"The tribunal's design makes it clear that the official status of the accused at the time of the crime does not exempt them from responsibility," she said. "Functional immunity does not apply here; high-ranking officials can be prosecuted even while holding office. The statute provides rules for conducting proceedings if the accused is absent."

The tribunal will be authorized to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure jurisdictional effectiveness and share information, Stefanishyna added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has long advocated for the tribunal to ensure that Putin and other senior Russian officials face justice for launching the invasion three years ago.

Ukrainian prosecutors have documented thousands of war crimes committed by Russian forces, including attacks on civilians, cultural and medical sites, and acts of torture and deportation.

While war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide can be prosecuted against individuals at any level, the crime of aggression applies exclusively to state leaders responsible for planning and waging a war.

The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

‘Dead and wounded everywhere’ — at least 160 casualties as Russia strikes Dnipro with ballistic missiles, hits civilian train

Russia launched a deadly missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on June 24, striking civilian infrastructure and a passenger train, local officials reported.

The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir