Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed creating an international tribunal to hold Russia to account for aggression, a move described as a necessary step toward delivering justice on the global stage. During remarks at the International Criminal Court, Zelensky asserted that accountability for aggression can only be secured through the authority of a dedicated international court, emphasizing the role such a tribunal would play in reinforcing international law and deterring future violations.
On his visit to The Hague, Zelensky also shared updates via Telegram, noting discussions with key ICC leaders. He met with Piotr Hofmansky, the President of the International Criminal Court, and Oswaldo Aguilera, the court secretary, to discuss the potential framework, scope, and timing of a court empowered to address acts of aggression and war crimes comprehensively. These conversations reflected a broader push to align international legal mechanisms with the realities of modern conflicts and civilian harm.
In response, Dmitry Peskov, the former press secretary for the Russian president, rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction. He argued that for many years no international judicial body paid attention to what he described as the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the killing of civilians carried out by Ukrainian forces in Donbass. Peskov’s statement underscores the ongoing political and legal contest surrounding international accountability and the legitimacy of international courts in cases involving Russia.