Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has urged member states to provide stronger political support for a special tribunal aimed at prosecuting Russian leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Speaking to Euronews' Europe Today, Berset confirmed that more than 36 countries have expressed readiness to join the initiative, but key decisions on funding, location, and political backing remain unresolved.
“It depends on the political will of member states,” Berset said. “With political will, it will be possible to go quite fast.” The tribunal, established under an agreement signed with Ukraine in June 2024, is designed to hold top Kremlin officials—including President Vladimir Putin—accountable for the full-scale invasion that began in February 2022.
Accountability as a Pillar of Peace
Berset dismissed concerns that the lack of support from US President Donald Trump could undermine the tribunal’s credibility. He described the tribunal as part of an “unprecedented framework for accountability” for Russia’s four-year assault on Ukraine. “It will never be possible to have a just and lasting peace without justice,” he insisted, linking the judicial process directly to future peace negotiations.
The Council of Europe’s push comes amid broader European efforts to ensure that war crimes and aggression are not left unpunished. The tribunal is separate from the International Criminal Court, which has issued arrest warrants for Putin and other officials but cannot prosecute the crime of aggression in Ukraine due to jurisdictional limits. The new body aims to fill that gap, drawing on the Council’s 46 member states and additional partners.
Ukraine’s leadership has repeatedly called for such a mechanism, and the tribunal’s progress has been a key topic in diplomatic discussions across the continent. The initiative also aligns with Kyiv’s broader push for full EU membership, as highlighted in Ukraine's Deputy PM Rejects Associate EU Membership, Insists on Full Accession.
Migration Declaration Defended
Berset also addressed criticism of a new political declaration on migration adopted by the Council of Europe’s 46 member states last week. Human rights groups have argued that the declaration could weaken protections under the European Convention on Human Rights. Berset rejected that claim, stating that the declaration aims to foster political dialogue while safeguarding judicial independence.
“The declaration does not weaken the European Convention on Human Rights,” he said. “It is about encouraging political dialogue and protecting the independence of the judiciary.” The statement reflects ongoing tensions between national sovereignty and human rights obligations, a recurring theme in European politics.
The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, is distinct from the European Union and focuses on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Its work on the Ukraine tribunal and migration policy underscores its role in shaping legal frameworks across the continent, from the Baltic to the Balkans.
As the tribunal moves forward, the need for concrete commitments from capitals like Berlin, Paris, and London remains urgent. Without sustained political will, the ambitious plan risks stalling—a scenario that would embolden Moscow and undermine the principle of accountability that Europe has championed since the Nuremberg trials.
