After more than two years since the onset of the Russian war against Ukraine, European ministers and international investigators will today, Tuesday, deliberate on the advanced situation of war crimes trials in The Hague, Netherlands.
Ukraine, its allies, and the European Commission are keen on ensuring that suspected war criminals are brought to justice.
The issue of how to prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression will also be discussed. A special court may be established for this purpose. Furthermore, the conference will see the first claims for compensation on behalf of the victims being recorded.
The Netherlands is hosting the conference. Participants will include representatives from the European Commission, Ukraine, Western allies, as well as the International Criminal Court and the European judicial authority “Eurojust.”
Shortly after the war began, several countries agreed to cooperate with Ukraine and the international judicial authorities in investigations.
International efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have included appeals from UN experts for greater global action to forge peace, reflecting on the severe impact on civilians and the urgent need for a resolution that respects human dignity and the UN Charter. These efforts emphasize the catastrophic human toll and the destabilization caused by the conflict, highlighting the importance of a peaceful resolution that adheres to international law and ensures accountability for war crimes.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated calls for intensified efforts to end the war, describing it as “senseless” and highlighting its broad repercussions, including a global food, energy, and finance crisis. The UN has engaged directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders, facilitated humanitarian aid to millions, and brokered agreements to resume critical exports. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating alleged war crimes, with the Prosecutor noting troubling evidence of widespread destruction and suffering.
In addition to the Ukrainian judiciary, the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, is also investigating. The Attorney General Karim Khan has already issued four international arrest warrants against high-ranking Russians for alleged war crimes, including President Vladimir Putin.
