Ukraine Sees 2027 as Realistic Start Date for Special Tribunal Against Russia

A Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine is likely to start functioning in 2027, a senior Ukrainian official said, cautioning that significant organizational hurdles remain.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Ukrinform, citing Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office.

She made the remark during the Kyiv premiere of the documentary “In Your Name: Justice in Times of War,” a film that portrays judges working under frontline conditions. The screening at the Zhovten cinema was attended by diplomats, officials, lawmakers, and the film’s protagonists.

“Of course, we would like the tribunal to begin work as early as next year, but there are still many challenges to overcome. Realistically, we expect it to launch in 2027,” Mudra said.

Mudra stressed that accountability must extend beyond prosecuting Russia’s leadership for aggression to include reparations for the destruction and human suffering caused by the war. 

“Holding leaders responsible addresses the crime against the state and international law, but compensation addresses the rights and losses of ordinary people. This element of justice must also be implemented,” she noted.

She added that no court currently guarantees Russia will pay damages, but progress is being made toward a broader compensation mechanism. 

Negotiations in The Hague recently concluded on a Council of Europe convention to create a commission that will review claims filed with the International Register of Damages.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the tribunal agreement in Strasbourg on June 25, and parliament ratified it on July 15. 

As The Gaze previously reported, at a Europe Day summit in Lviv, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, announcing nearly £25 million in new humanitarian aid and backing the establishment of a Special Tribunal to prosecute Russian aggression.