36 nations back tribunal to prosecute Russia for Ukraine invasion

Thirty-four European states plus Australia, Costa Rica, and the European Union announced on Friday they would join a future special tribunal for Ukraine to prosecute Russia over its 2022 invasion. The Council of Europe’s 46-member foreign ministers approved a resolution laying the groundwork for the court, following an accord signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the Council last year to prosecute the "crime of aggression."

Secretary General Alain Berset declared, "The time for Russia to be held to account for its aggression is fast approaching. The special tribunal represents justice and hope." He emphasized the need for swift action to secure the tribunal’s functioning and funding. The move comes amid a growing mental health crisis in Ukraine, as noted by the WHO, but the tribunal marks a decisive step toward legal accountability for the invasion.