On June 25, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Council of Europe signed a landmark agreement in Strasbourg to establish a special tribunal aimed at prosecuting top Russian officials—including President Vladimir Putin—for the crime of aggression committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The signing ceremony was attended by Council Secretary General Alain Berset. Zelensky hailed the agreement as a “critical step” toward justice, while acknowledging that the road ahead remains “long” and will require strong international cooperation.
Initially announced on May 9, 2025, the tribunal seeks to fill a legal gap, as the International Criminal Court lacks jurisdiction to directly prosecute the crime of aggression in this case.
The agreement follows over three years of war, during which Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of large-scale war crimes.
Russia was expelled from the 46-member Council of Europe in 2022, and the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children.
The new tribunal is expected to begin operations in 2026, despite significant legal hurdles—including the question of immunity for sitting heads of state.
