European Nations Support Creation of Special Tribunal to Prosecute Russian President

Europe on May 9 threw its support behind a special tribunal to prosecute President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, a show of unity on a day when Moscow marks its "victory day".

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LVIV, Ukraine - Europe on May 9 threw its support behind a special tribunal to prosecute President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, a show of unity on a day when Moscow marks its "victory day".

At a meeting in Ukraine's western city of Lviv, ministers from almost 20 European nations gave their political sign-off to the tribunal, welcoming the completion of the technical work required to set it up.

The tribunal will be set up within the framework of the Council of Europe, the continent's leading human rights watchdog that was formed after World War II to uphold rights and the rule of law.

European nations have stepped up their efforts since US President Donald Trump authorized sanctions in February against the International Criminal Court (ICC), created to prosecute war crimes when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

Russia denies its troops have committed atrocities in Ukraine since its forces launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine says Russian troops have committed many thousands of war crimes.