Core Group Endorses Launch of Special Tribunal for Russian Aggression

On May 9, 2025, in Lviv, foreign ministers and representatives from the Core Group officially adopted the “Lviv Statement,” marking the conclusion of technical work necessary to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The move is a decisive step toward holding the Russian leadership accountable for initiating a war of aggression in violation of the UN Charter.

The joint declaration reaffirms the importance of the tribunal as a mechanism for justice and accountability and confirms that the legal instruments—including a draft statute and agreements with the Council of Europe—are now complete. The ministers emphasized that the tribunal will function in full compliance with international law and human rights standards.

The statement also underscores the critical role of the Council of Europe and highlights the contributions of the European Commission and the European External Action Service in shaping the legal and administrative frameworks of the tribunal.

NGO JAFUA (Justice and Accountability for Ukraine Alliance), which has been working intensively on the issue of accountability since the full-scale invasion began, welcomed the announcement. “JAFUA has closely followed every step of this process and actively contributed to shaping the international conversation around the crime of aggression,” the organization noted. “We are proud to see the international community taking concrete action to ensure justice is served.”

The next milestone will be the meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers in Luxembourg on May 13–14, where the formal process of establishing the tribunal is expected to begin.

JAFUA continues to support the development of the tribunal and remains committed to advancing international justice for Ukraine.