dw.com
New Court to Prosecute Russia's Aggression Against Ukraine
A new special court, established jointly by the European Council and Ukraine on June 25th, 2025, will prosecute Russia's aggression against Ukraine, including President Vladimir Putin, addressing limitations in existing international courts.
- What is the immediate significance of the newly established court to prosecute Russia's aggression in Ukraine?
- On June 25th, 2025, the European Council and Ukraine established a special court in Strasbourg to prosecute Russia's aggression, including President Putin. This court, located in The Hague, addresses the limitations of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which cannot prosecute states like Russia that haven't ratified the Rome Statute.
- How does this court address the limitations of existing international legal mechanisms regarding prosecuting state aggression?
- This new court complements existing efforts like the ICC's arrest warrants for Putin and other Russian officials on charges of war crimes and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) cases regarding alleged genocide and terrorism financing. The court aims to fill legal gaps by prosecuting the decision for war itself, not just individual crimes within it.
- What are the long-term implications of this court's establishment for the accountability of state actors in future international conflicts?
- While unlikely to directly prosecute Putin while in office due to immunity, this court significantly aids future prosecutions by gathering evidence and preparing indictments. Its establishment signals a strengthened commitment to holding perpetrators of aggression accountable, setting a precedent for similar future conflicts.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a largely balanced account of the various legal actions taken against Russia. While it details the efforts of Ukraine and the EU to pursue legal avenues, it also acknowledges Russia's denials and the challenges in securing prosecutions. The framing leans slightly towards highlighting the efforts to hold Russia accountable, but this is understandable given the context of the events.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, though phrases such as "aggressive war" and describing Russia's actions as violations reflect a particular perspective. However, this is appropriate given the context, and the article strives to avoid loaded language when presenting different sides of the issue.
Bias by Omission
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the legal avenues being pursued to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine. However, it could benefit from mentioning alternative perspectives, such as those offered by the Russian government, to provide a more balanced representation of the situation. The omission of these perspectives might slightly limit the reader's ability to form a completely informed opinion.
Sustainable Development Goals
The establishment of a special court to prosecute individuals responsible for the crime of aggression in the context of the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates a commitment to international justice and accountability. This directly supports SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.