The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has escalated calls for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for the crime of aggression.
Speaking at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik, von der Leyen told leaders from across the continent that they should support Ukraine’s peace formula, declaring that “as Russia rages war against democracy itself, Europe is united in standing up for Ukraine.”
“Today, war is back in Europe. But for many Ukrainians, this conflict already began 10 years ago,” said von der Leyen.
“Ukraine is fighting for the values we [the EU Commission] believe in and that we hold so dearly.”
“The Ukrainian people are demanding accountability for Russia’s war crimes– the shelling of civilian homes, the executions in cold blood, the abduction of children from their families.”
“This is what the summit of Iceland should focus on,” said von der Leyen. “This is why we are here to discuss these topics. It is important for Ukrainians today because the prospect of accountability can already deter Russian soldiers from committing new war crimes. But it is also important for the future because only justice can be the foundation for lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Von der Leyen also said the EU Commission will do everything possible to support Ukraine but will do “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”, meaning Ukraine’s own peace formula should be at the centre of action.
“The Ukrainian peace formula is the foundation of their path towards peace, and that is why I call on us at this summit to really rally behind this peace formula,” said von der Leyen.
“In these testing times, it is so important that we all join forces. The Ukrainians are fighting for democracy and freedom. It is our common fight and we stand by their side for as long as it takes. Slava Ukraine. Long live Europe.”
Ursula von der Leyen
Ahead of the EU summit, Von der Leyen had also said leaders would decide on setting up “a register of damage” for Russia’s compensation to Ukraine in the international criminal court (ICC) in The Hague.
The commission promised as well to help create an international centre to store evidence on Russia’s war crimes, which would be set up in The Hague and operational from July.
The ICC doesn’t have the power to try crimes of aggression, as Russia hasn’t ratified the ICC treaty. However, there has been an arrest warrant for Putin and other senior officials over the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Last March, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and calls for a special tribunal to try Vladimir Putin and his top officials for the crime of aggression have been ongoing by the European Commission and several member states.
Last year, the EU commission put out two options to do so— either creating an international tribunal based on a multilateral treaty or a special hybrid court integrated into a national justice system with international judges.
EU officials think both of these options would require UN support.