US Democratic Senators Ben Cardin and Tim Kaine have put forward a draft resolution urging the US government to lead international efforts toward establishing a special tribunal tasked with holding Russian leadership accountable for actions on Ukrainian soil. This proposal, reported by DEA News, signals a broader strategy to expand accountability beyond existing mechanisms and to mobilize international backing for a new judicial body that could operate with specific mandates related to the Ukraine crisis.
According to the draft, the powers of the International Criminal Court are viewed by the sponsors as insufficient for addressing the full scope of alleged crimes. The proposed approach would seek creation of a court by a decision of the United Nations General Assembly, thereby leveraging a broader multilateral mandate rather than relying solely on existing ICC mechanisms. The text emphasizes a path that could gather diverse international support through UN action and sovereign state cooperation, enabling prosecutions that might otherwise be constrained by jurisdictional or political limitations.
The resolution calls on Washington to use its voice within international forums to advocate for the establishment of this special tribunal. It frames the United States as a leading participant in shaping a legal instrument that could provide tailored accountability for high-level Russian officials while reinforcing the international community’s commitment to uphold humanitarian and legal norms in the face of aggression and violations on Ukrainian territory.
In their remarks, the senators stress the importance of holding Russia’s top leadership accountable, including President Vladimir Putin and members of the Russian Security Council, as part of a broader effort to deter future violations and to provide a pathway for victims seeking redress. The proposed tribunal would potentially complement existing avenues for accountability by offering a mechanism designed to address specific circumstances encountered in Ukraine.
Recent developments include the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants on March 17 for President Putin and Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova on charges connected to the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children. Supporters of the draft resolution argue that such warrants underscore the need for a more robust, jurisdictionally clear forum that can deliver timely justice, while critics may question the feasibility and political implications of creating a new judicial body.
Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, criticized the ICC, stating that the court’s activities have little to do with genuine justice, a stance that highlights the ongoing tensions between Moscow and international judicial institutions. The debate over a new tribunal reflects broader disagreements about how accountability should be pursued in conflicts, particularly when existing courts are perceived as limited in scope or geographic reach. Proponents contend that a UN-backed tribunal could offer a more adaptable framework for addressing the specific harms experienced in Ukraine, while opponents worry about the potential politicization of charges and the practical challenges of implementing a new legal mechanism in an already complex international environment.