EU and Council of Europe agree to set up an advance team for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine

The European Union and the Council of Europe have signed an agreement on the financing of an advance team to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, within the framework of the Council of Europe.

The aim of the joint project is to create a team to prepare the institutional, logistical and organisational foundations of the Special Tribunal, which will have the mandate to prosecute senior political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The joint project will be managed by the Council of Europe. It will lay the groundwork for the election of the Special Tribunal's judges and prosecutor, and the development of the tribunal's rules of procedure and evidence, as well as its court management system.

The advance team will also support stakeholder engagements to bolster support for the Special Tribunal.

The European Union will contribute with €10 million to the Special Tribunal Advance Team (STAT) project through the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.

The project will last for a maximum of 24 months, or until the work can be funded via the future Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal.

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Unpunished crimes only encourage future atrocities. The European Union's release of the first €10 million to help set up a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine is a concrete step towards justice. Russia's leaders are responsible for this war, and they must be held accountable. There can be no impunity.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission

Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. The Special Tribunal is essential to ensuring a just and lasting peace by holding Russia accountable for its crime of aggression. There can be no durable peace without justice, and no justice without accountability. Today, we move one step closer to turning these principles into action.

Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

Today's agreement is a major step towards ensuring justice and accountability for the people of Ukraine, without which there can be no lasting peace. The Council of Europe will determinedly work together with the European Union and other key partners around the world to uphold the values that we hold dear, to ensure respect for international law and to make sure that violence and impunity do not prevail.

Alain Berset, Council of Europe Secretary General

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