Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has announced a growing international consensus to hold Russia accountable for its actions, confirming that eight nations have agreed to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Sybiha emphasized the importance of global participation. "The number of countries ready to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement... is growing. We already have eight confirmations and expect more," he wrote, urging other nations to take this crucial step.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that the atrocities committed by Russia are on a scale unseen in Europe since the Second World War. He pinpointed the initial crime of aggression as the root cause of the ongoing devastation.
"Russian criminals, including the top political and military leadership of the Russian Federation, must be held accountable, and there will be no amnesty," Sybiha declared.
He outlined that the Special Tribunal serves as one of three critical pillars in the international accountability infrastructure, working alongside the Claims Commission and the Register of Damage. According to Sybiha, the practical launch of the Tribunal this year is vital to supplement the International Criminal Court's efforts, strengthen international criminal law, and revive the "spirit of Nuremberg" to prevent future atrocities.
The announcement comes just ahead of the somber anniversary of the Bucha massacres. Sybiha noted that EU officials are scheduled to visit Ukraine to commemorate the tragedy, stating, "The ashes of Bucha demand the restoration of justice."
Momentum for the Tribunal has been accelerating. On March 25, the European Commission adopted a proposal initiating the process for the European Union to become a founding member of the Special Tribunal. Upon approval by member states, the EU is expected to assume a central role, including participation in the Steering Committee. Sweden also confirmed its intention to join the agreement on the same day.
Earlier in February, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset emphasized during a visit to Kyiv that the successful operational launch of the Special Tribunal ultimately depends on the "will of the states."
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