Zelenskyy: We want to set up tribunal regarding Russia via UN resolution

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that a special tribunal for the crime of aggression by Russia against Ukraine should be established through the adoption of a corresponding resolution by the UN General Assembly.

Source: Zelenskyy on Friday at a press conference following the Bucha summit, European Pravda reports.

Zelenskyy emphasised that the tribunal will be set up after Ukraine’s victory and the end of the war with Russia, "which is the number one priority". As for the stages, first of all, Kyiv seeks to secure international political support.

"We are working on this. Namely, the text of the relevant resolution for the United Nations platform," he noted.

The president added that the tribunal format is currently being agreed upon. The "hybrid" option, which Ukraine opposes but which is supported by several of its "amicable partners", has featured in the discussions.

"Nevertheless, we still see our [preferred – ed.] option and are working on it. We understand that the most important thing for us is to recruit many states so that many are united and, united, support one format or another of the corresponding resolution. Moreover, this will be step number one. And then we will move on to practical steps regarding the tribunal," the head of state added.

In this context, Zelenskyy mentioned the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has served as a "significant signal" in the direction of establishing the tribunal.

"As I was speaking with my European colleagues, in general, everyone was afraid of the issue of the tribunal. However, our evidence of the deportation of our children has been a very significant factor... So I think these factors will greatly affect the principles and severity of the wording of the corresponding [UN] resolution," he concluded.

Reminder: President Zelenskyy's office has publicly declared the inadmissibility of setting up a so-called "hybrid tribunal" as a tool for investigating the crime of Russian aggression. This position was voiced by Andrii Yermak, the head of the President’s Office, who leads the working group on setting up the special tribunal.

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