Ukraine calls for creation of Special Tribunal to probe 'war crimes' committed by Russia

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called for establishment of a Special Tribunal to bring Russian Federation's highest military and political leers to trial for alleged crimes committed in Ukraine. According to European Pravda, Kuleba said that this is required in order to bring Russian Federation's leership to justice for war crimes committed against Ukraine.

"I will make it extremely clear: Ukraine accuses Russia of committing crime of aggression. Toger with or states, organisations and institutions, we will use all available tools to achieve justice for thousands of innocent victims of this crime, and we will not rest until perpetrators are brought to justice," Kuleba was quoted by European Pravda as saying.

Kuleba emphasised that while international criminal justice has equate means to examine war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, existing institutions face objective legal impediments in examining act of aggression against Ukraine. That is why it is important to establish a Special Tribunal capable of prosecuting Russia's leership for this particular crime.

"If re are no appropriate tools that allow us to carry out justice, we will return to very origins of international criminal justice to create m," Ukrainian minister emphasised, according to media agency.

Director of Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled that Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, European Parliament, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and Seimas of Republic of Lithuania h alrey endorsed idea of establishing a Special Tribunal.

It would take several years to fully investigate war crimes committed by Russia

According to several media reports, Marko Buschmann, minister of justice in Germany, anticipates that it would take several years to fully investigate war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. A coordination meeting of countries involved in investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine was conducted at end of May in Hague, amid demands that those responsible for horrors perpetrated be brought to account.

Kuleba stated, "We will definitely hold Russia accountable for all crimes committed. earth will literally burn under feet of Russians not only at front, but also in courts, under feet of those Russians who are guilty of crimes against Ukrainians."

(Image: AP)