The Estonian minister says how to stop Russia. “Hundreds of thousands of victims”
Our international order based on principles is based on bright, binding rules and mechanisms, which are observed Mandatory for all countries. Sovereignty and territorial integrity are not privileges, but the basic principles of international law, which should be observed without external interference or coercion. The boundaries are not just lines on the map, but they embody the essence of national identity and stability.
Some countries consciously disregard these basic norms and try to divide and destabilize the existing order to change reality by force.
On February 24, 2022, over three years ago, Russia did this, committing the most serious violations – Crime of Aggression – Through the illegal invasion and use of military force against a sovereign Ukrainian state.
In one night, the global security architecture remained irreversibly shakenand the fragile coexistence between Russia and its neighbors turned into open hostility. For all of us who have been observing Russia's imperialist ambitions for decades, the continuation of its aggression since Soviet times is obvious. The postulate of justice for Ukraine became inevitable, and Kiev's allies achieved a consensus that creates a precedent: Russia must – in one way or another – be brought to responsibility in front of the international community.
Gross gap
Therefore, the allies of Ukraine intensified efforts to reach the responsibility of those responsible for these serious violations. The International Criminal Tribunal (MTK) has taken decisive steps as part of its mandate – conducts an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine and supports Ukraine in pulling high -ranking high -ranking Russian politicians and military politicians who planned this aggression.
The MTK issued six arrest orders, including Vladimir Putin and Maria Lviv-Biełowa for unlawful deportations and forced adoptions of Ukrainian children.
But The most serious of these crimes – the crime of aggression – does not fall within the scope of the jurisdiction of MTK. The inability to reach criminal liability of persons responsible for this unjustified war of aggression leaves a gross gap in the pursuit of justice.
Estonia definitely in favor of a change in the Roman statute in order MTK mandate extensions for prosecution of the crime of aggression. However, it is necessary to find an alternative solution until you reach a consensus between State States. Therefore, it is necessary to create a special tribunal that would only deal with the crime of aggression against the Ukrainian state.
Foreign Minister of Estonia Margus Tsahkna in Brussels, Belgium, April 3, 2025.
Special Tribunal
Like the Nuremberg trials, which were established after World War II, in order to explain and prosecute the crime of the Nazi regime, the Special Tribunal would only deal with the main perpetrators of Russian aggression against Ukraine, i.e. political and military leaders, and would be the first special tribunal for the crime of aggression from World War II.
The Court would act under the patronage Council of Europe And he would ensure that the persons actually responsible for violation of peace were responsible. This mechanism serves not only justice, but also the long -awaited responsibility for hundreds of thousands of victims of Russian aggression.
After three years of intensive discussions within the Working Group of the International Special Court, consisting of 40 countries and two multilateral institutions, a historic breakthrough was finally achieved. On May 9, the President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelanski announced in Lviv official plans to create a special tribunal under the auspices of the Council of Europe. What at first seemed impossible – obtaining international support for the Court for the crime of aggression at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – has become a reality.
As a guardian of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, the European Council will provide the necessary framework for the work of the Tribunal and guarantees that his competences will result directly from Ukrainian law. On May 14, the Committee of Ministers officially recognized the creation of the Special Tribunal as priority. The formal creation of the Special Tribunal is expected in the coming months.
A resident of the city Zaporozhye after a Russian attack, Ukraine, November 8, 2024.
Road to justice
After its establishment, the Ukrainian authorities will be able to transfer to the prosecutor's office of the Special Tribunal to pending national preparatory and criminal proceedings regarding the crime of aggression. Thanks to the mandate to conduct investigations against high -ranking Russian officials – that is, persons incurring the main responsibility for the outbreak of this war – the Tribunal will ensure that those who seriously violated the international legal order will pay for it before the international community.
Even if the highest Russian authorities – the president, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs – currently use immunitythe Tribunal will ensure that after leaving the positions they can be held criminal liability. The immediate initiation of the investigation against Russian leaders is of key importance. This approach will allow lawyers to gather evidence, document the testimonies of witnesses and create grounds to pull the perpetrators responsible long before they can attempt to avoid justice.
A special tribunal is milestone On the way to justice for the victims of Russian aggression, and at the same time confirms the strength of international cooperation. Starting these actions immediately, Ukraine and its allies confirm the fundamental truth: the crime of aggression cannot remain unpunished, and no perpetrator, no matter how powerful, can avoid responsibility.
Estonia calls all countries to support the creation of a special tribunal. Justice and responsibility are not only ideals, but the foundation of our international order. A special tribunal for Ukraine is a clear reminder that impunity cannot take place. Never again.
