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Speaking to Euronews’ flagship morning show, Europe Today, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said more than 36 countries are ready to join their special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for atrocities carried out in Ukraine.
However, key decisions on funding, location and political backing are still needed before proceedings can properly begin.
“It depends on the political will of member states,” Berset said. “With political will, it will be possible to go quite fast.”
The Council of Europe signed an agreement with Ukraine last June establishing the Special Tribunal to ensure that top Kremlin officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, will one day be tried for their unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Asked whether the lack of support from US President Donald Trump could undermine the tribunal’s credibility, Berset dismissed the issue, calling the tribunal plan part of an “unprecedented framework for accountability” for Russia’s four-year-old assault on the country.
He insisted that justice and accountability would be essential for any future peace negotiations.
“It will never be possible to have a just and lasting peace without justice,” he said.
Berset also defended a new political declaration on migration agreed by the Council of Europe’s 46 member states last week, after criticism from human rights groups. He insisted the declaration does not weaken the European Convention on Human Rights, but instead aims to encourage political dialogue while protecting judicial independence.
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