The EU participated in the adoption of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
On 15 May 2026, at a public segment of the 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, 36 countries, including 34 Council of Europe member states, as well as Australia and Costa Rica, and the EU, represented by Ambassador Kos, participated in the adoption of Resolution of the Committee of Ministers establishing Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Setting out the institutional, financial, and administrative modalities of the Special Tribunal, the EPA is an important step towards the operationalisation of the Special Tribunal. The Special Tribunal will have the power to investigate and prosecute senior Russian political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The Netherlands’ offer to host the Special Tribunal throughout its entire lifecycle, including its operational phase, announced on 3 July, is another important step towards the establishment of the Special Tribunal. Efforts towards the swift entry into force of the EPA continue in the Council of Europe framework. The EU has been supporting and will continue to support these efforts.
Also on 15 May 2026, the EU ratified the Convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The International Claims Commission for Ukraine will be responsible for reviewing, assessing and determining claims for compensation for the damage, loss, and injury caused by Russia to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The Claims Commission will be able to start its work after it has gathered 25 ratifications with sufficient financial contributions.
The EU is financially supporting both the establishment of the Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal to ensure they can become fully operational as soon as they enter into force. This includes €10 million for the Tribunal and up to €1 million for the Claims Commission.
This work sends a clear signal that there can be no just and lasting peace without accountability and underlines the Council of Europe’s central role in advancing a comprehensive accountability architecture in which the EU plays a major role.
Read our previous articles on accountability for Ukraine:
EU and Council of Europe sign agreement to fund advance team for Special Tribunal on Ukraine
Ukraine and Council of Europe Sign Landmark Agreement for Special Tribunal on Crime of Aggression