By KYIV. Dec 12 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba says that the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine will bring the highest political and military leadership of the Russian Federation to justice and put an end to the feeling of impunity, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.
"The only thing that provoked Putin to barbaric aggression in the heart of Europe is his feeling of complete impunity. He had felt it for many years and was sure that he would get away with it. The only way to stop this once and for all is to create a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. He will be able to hold Russia’s top political and military leadership accountable," Kuleba said in an online speech at a meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers on Monday.
He expressed gratitude to head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell for supporting the idea of creating a special tribunal and called on all EU member states to support it as well. "We count on a strong and unified position on the special tribunal at the next meeting of the European Council," Kuleba said.
The Foreign Minister of Ukraine noted that the creation of a special tribunal will not interfere with the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), but will complement it. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to the important efforts of the ICC and partners to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
"The nearest moment when we will need your strong support for the idea of creating a special tribunal will be a vote for the UN General Assembly resolution on Russia’s responsibility, which will contain a call to create a mechanism to hold Russia’s political and military leadership accountable for the crime of aggression," Kuleba summed up.
