EU Allocates First €10 Million to Establish Special Tribunal for Russian Leadership
The European Union has released its first €10 million to support the creation of a Special Tribunal aimed at prosecuting Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials for crimes linked to the war in Ukraine.
The announcement was made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said the move sends a clear message that accountability is unavoidable and impunity for aggression will not be tolerated.
“This is about justice,” Kallas said, stressing that those responsible for launching and sustaining the war against Ukraine must be held legally accountable under international law.
The funding marks a concrete step toward establishing a dedicated legal mechanism to address crimes of aggression, an area not fully covered by existing international courts. EU officials have long argued that Russia’s top political and military leadership cannot escape responsibility for the invasion that began in February 2022.
The decision comes as the war in Ukraine continues with no comprehensive ceasefire in place. Fighting remains active along several фронтlines, while Russian missile and drone attacks persist against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. At the same time, Ukraine continues to press for stronger international legal action alongside military and financial support.
Kyiv has welcomed the EU’s move, calling it a significant milestone in the broader effort to ensure justice for war-related crimes. Ukrainian officials say a special tribunal is essential to address the crime of aggression itself, which they describe as the root cause of the conflict and the atrocities that followed.
Russia has repeatedly rejected such initiatives, dismissing them as politically motivated and denying wrongdoing. However, EU leaders insist the tribunal effort reflects international law and the principles of accountability that underpin the post–World War II legal order.
EU officials say additional funding and legal groundwork are expected in the coming months as discussions continue with international partners on the tribunal’s structure, jurisdiction, and location.
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