Council of Europe Approves Agreement for Special Tribunal on Ukraine Aggression

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has officially approved the Enlarged Partial Agreement regarding the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This decisive meeting took place on May 15, 2026, in Chisinau, Moldova, where 37 member countries voted in support of the document. This agreement serves as the third foundational legal instrument necessary for the tribunal's establishment. The approval marks a critical milestone, enabling the launch of all operational mechanisms for the judicial body. The Special Tribunal aims to hold Russia’s top political and military leadership accountable for initiating and waging an aggressive war against Ukraine. This development follows previous key steps, including President Volodymyr Zelensky signing the initial agreement with the Council of Europe in June 2025 and the Ukrainian parliament ratifying it in July 2025. Additionally, a preparatory team was established in early 2026 through cooperation between the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and the European External Action Service. With these preparatory stages concluding, the tribunal is set to commence full-scale operations, including investigations, charging suspects, conducting judicial proceedings, and rendering judgments on crimes of aggression.