The US Justice Department intends to dispatch an experienced prosecutor to The Hague as part of broader efforts to pursue war crimes committed during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, according to Ukrinform on a recent report.
New member of the International Center for the Prosecution of Crimes against Ukraine
Following a discussion with Ukraine’s top prosecutor, Andriy Kostin, who is visiting the United States for a working trip, US Attorney General Merrick Garland outlined the plan to strengthen bilateral cooperation in this critical area.
To bolster cooperation, the Ministry of Justice will second an experienced prosecutor to the International Center for the Prosecution of Crimes against Ukraine, which was established under the Joint Investigation Team framework to coordinate international responses to alleged crimes.
Garland noted that the US representative will be based in The Hague, operating from the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.
Permanent Legal Adviser at the US Embassy in Kyiv
In another step, Garland indicated that Washington intends to appoint a permanent legal adviser to the US embassy in Kyiv this summer. That role will work closely with Ukrainian partners on a broad set of complex justice sector issues, helping align U.S. and Ukrainian efforts in building accountable governance and rule of law.
Garland also reported discussions with Ukraine’s attorney general about increasing joint actions to hold the Russian regime accountable for its atrocities. He highlighted ongoing coordination at the level of the KleptoCapture task force, which continues to pursue and seize assets linked to sanctioned Kremlin and Russian military supporters.
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rm/PAP