More than three years after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, international criminal prosecution is gaining momentum.

On Wednesday, the Council of Europe and the Ukrainian government signed an agreement in Strasbourg to establish a special tribunal dedicated to the "crime of aggression" which refers to a largely unpunished violation of international law.

The aim is to hold high-ranking representatives of the Russian leadership, possibly including President Vladimir Putin himself, criminally responsible for the decision to wage war against Ukraine.

"Strong political cooperation is needed to ensure that every Russian war criminal is brought to justice, including Putin," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the signing ceremony in Strasbourg.

Every inch of Russia's war has been documented, stated Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on X. "There is no room for doubt — and no room for impunity," she wrote.

The special tribunal is legally bound by international customary law and resolutions of the UN General Assembly.

It will most likely be based in The Hague and close a gap that the International Criminal........

© Deutsche Welle