Moscow threatens retaliation against nations backing Ukraine's quest for justice in tribunal for Russia's aggression

Russia is threatening countries that join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated it will not recognize the tribunal, according to the BBC Russian Service.

On 25 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. The tribunal is designed to prosecute high-level political and military figures responsible for launching the war against Ukraine. However, under current international law, sitting officials such as President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov enjoy legal immunity.

Moscow has also warned third countries against joining the initiative.

“We will regard the accession of any state to the special tribunal as a hostile move — one that signals not a desire for resolution, but for escalation of the current crisis around Ukraine,” says Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

She also threatened such countries with “restrictive measures.”

Earlier, Euromaidan Press wrote that despite immunity for top leaders, the tribunal will be empowered to investigate and try other senior Russian and Belarusian officials, potentially even in absentia. Legal experts believe this still sends a strong message about international accountability.