In Lviv, Polish authorities voiced a clear message to those responsible for Russian war crimes in Ukraine: accountability is unavoidable, and the free world will stand with Ukraine. This was stated by Zbigniew Ziobro, the Prosecutor General and Minister of Justice, during the city’s Friday events.
Ziobro participated in the United for Justice conference, a gathering focused on practical solutions to ensure that those accountable for crimes in Ukraine face justice.
Among the attendees at the conference’s opening were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Latvian President Egils Levits, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, as well as numerous politicians, diplomats, and heads of prosecutorial offices from several European nations.
During his remarks, Ziobro highlighted ongoing discussions about building a robust framework for criminal responsibility. He emphasized that talks in Lviv are aimed at strengthening mechanisms to hold perpetrators to account for crimes that have deeply affected countless lives in Ukraine.
He reiterated that the same perpetrators will face inevitable punishment, that crime should not pay, and that the free world will act in solidarity with Ukraine, a stance he described as consistent with the Polish prosecutor’s office actions.
Ziobro noted that four days after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, he ordered an investigation into the assault on a sovereign nation. In cooperation with several countries including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, and Slovenia, a joint team working with the International Criminal Court has been established to conduct intensive inquiries.
Polish investigators have already collected testimonies from more than 1,700 witnesses and presented substantial material evidence. Ziobro expressed hope that the conference would inspire further ideas on effectively bringing Russian crime leaders to justice in the future. He stressed the importance of honoring victims in Irpin, Bucha, and other Ukrainian cities to preserve the truth.
Referring to the historic words spoken by President Lech Kaczyński in Tbilisi years ago, Ziobro recalled the moment when the world reacted with disbelief to Russia’s aggression against Georgia and frame an outlook that someday could extend to Ukraine and beyond. He expressed confidence that the international community will ensure that those responsible for these appalling acts are brought to justice.
As the conference was described as a beacon of hope, Ziobro commented that the free world is reassessing how to address the criminal actions in Ukraine and the numerous crimes documented in Bucha, Irpin, and other cities. He reminded listeners of Kaczyński’s 2008 assertion and reflected on its potential relevance to today’s challenges in Europe.
The minister characterized Poland’s role in these efforts as highly significant. Poland was among the first to launch an inquiry into Russia’s aggression and the invasion of Ukraine, a decision made in consultation with the Ukrainian Public Prosecutor’s Office. An international investigation team was subsequently formed to pursue the case.
During a discussion about the international legal response, Zelensky urged the United Nations General Assembly to adopt Ukraine’s draft resolution calling for the creation of a special tribunal to address the crime of aggression against Ukraine. He argued that such a court would bridge gaps left by existing international mechanisms and enable accountability for aggression and related crimes.
President Zelensky underscored that every act of violence against civilians must be met with lawful, just consequences for the perpetrators. He also called special attention to Russia’s crimes against Ukrainian children, including deportation and attempts to erase national and family identities. He noted that more than 70,000 Russian war crimes have already been documented, with many more likely undiscovered, and he remarked on the broader toll of the conflict in terms of civilian casualties and the lasting impact on Ukrainian lives.
Observing the conference, participants and observers alike regarded it as a meaningful step toward strengthening the international architecture for pursuing justice against those who commit war crimes in Ukraine.
gah/PAP