The Council of Europe has officially appealed to states outside the European region to actively join the creation of the Special Tribunal for crimes in Ukraine. According to Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe, global participation is a key condition for ensuring the legitimacy of the future judicial body. The initiative aims to hold accountable those responsible for actions committed during the conflict.
Global Dimension and Institutional Framework of the Tribunal
As Gianluca Esposito noted in his statement, the Special Tribunal should not be viewed solely as an internal European solution, since the problem has a clearly pronounced global dimension. The Council of Europe has already prepared the necessary institutional framework to launch this mechanism. However, the degree of recognition and authority of the tribunal in the international arena will directly depend on the geographical diversity of the participating states.
Brussels emphasizes that all countries that previously supported the relevant UN General Assembly resolution should take the next step and join the work of the tribunal. The agreement on its creation, along with its statute, was signed between the Council of Europe and Ukraine in June 2025. To date, 38 states and the European Union have already stated their intention to participate in this legal mechanism.
Location in the Netherlands and Practical Preparation
The issue of hosting the new judicial body has already been resolved at a practical level. The Netherlands has officially confirmed its readiness to provide a venue for the tribunal on its territory. Currently, specialized experts of the Council of Europe, together with Dutch colleagues, are working out the remaining legal, institutional, logistical, and budget aspects necessary for a full-scale launch.
In parallel, work is underway on the international compensation mechanism for damages caused. The Register of Damage Caused by Russian Aggression, operating in The Hague, has already received more than 200,000 applications from affected citizens and organizations. In addition, 40 states and the European Union have signed the convention on the establishment of a special Claims Commission for compensation, expanding the framework of legal liability.
Significance of International Participation for Future Trials
Brussels' call to non-European countries reflects a strategy to turn the tribunal into a truly universal instrument of justice. The participation of representatives from different continents will help avoid accusations of regional bias and strengthen confidence in the rendered decisions from the international community. In the current geopolitical situation, a broad coalition of signatory states serves as the main guarantor that mechanisms of accountability for international crimes will be brought to practical implementation.
