EU and Council of Europe to Establish Advance Team for Ukraine Special Tribunal

The tribunal will specifically hold a mandate to prosecute senior political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

RMN News Political Desk
New Delhi | January 24, 2026

In a significant move toward international accountability, the Council of Europe and the European Union have officially signed an agreement to finance and launch an “advance team” dedicated to establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This joint project, finalized following a diplomatic conference in The Hague, marks a concrete effort to build the institutional and legal foundations necessary to prosecute high-level leadership.

Laying the Foundations for Accountability

The primary objective of this initiative is to prepare the organisational, logistical, and institutional framework for the Special Tribunal. Managed by the Council of Europe, the project will oversee critical tasks including:

• The groundwork for electing judges and a prosecutor.
• The development of rules of procedure and evidence.
• The creation of a comprehensive court management system.

The tribunal will specifically hold a mandate to prosecute senior political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Additionally, the advance team is tasked with engaging stakeholders to further bolster global support for the tribunal’s mission.

Funding and Timeline

The European Union has committed 10 million euros to the Special Tribunal Advance Team (STAT) project. These funds are being released through the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instruments. The project is designed to operate for a maximum of 24 months, or until it can be sustained through a future “Enlarged Partial Agreement” regarding the tribunal’s management.

The Path to Lasting Peace

Leaders from both organizations emphasized that justice is a prerequisite for a stable future. Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset stated that the agreement is vital for “ensuring justice and accountability for the people of Ukraine,” noting that without these elements, there can be no lasting peace.

European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas echoed these sentiments, asserting that Russia’s leaders must be held accountable to prevent future atrocities. “Unpunished crimes only encourage future atrocities,” Kallas remarked, describing the funding as a “concrete step towards justice”.

Adding to this, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasized the unwavering support for Ukraine, stating that the tribunal is essential for turning the principles of accountability into action and ensuring that violence and impunity do not prevail.