Belgium Becomes 24th State to Join Special Tribunal for Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Belgium has officially announced its decision to join the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, becoming the 24th state to support the international initiative aimed at prosecuting Russia’s top political and military leadership over the invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement was confirmed on Thursday by Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which reaffirmed Brussels’ commitment to international justice and accountability for crimes committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials welcomed the decision, calling it another important step toward establishing accountability for Russian aggression.

“Justice is essential for a comprehensive and lasting peace,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X, thanking Belgium for its “principled support and solidarity.”

The Special Tribunal was created to address a legal gap left by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which currently lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the specific crime of aggression in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine without a UN Security Council mandate.

Established within the framework of the Council of Europe, the tribunal is intended to investigate and prosecute senior Russian political and military leaders responsible for planning and launching the invasion.

A bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe establishing the tribunal was signed in June 2025. Since then, European governments and institutions have accelerated efforts to make the mechanism fully operational.

Other Topics of Interest

Intent in Plain Sight: the Politics of a UN-Recognized Genocide

With the help of semantic sleight of hand, the UN seems to be underplaying what is clearly a genocide in Ukraine. Indicators point to a potential power struggle and political pressure within the highest levels of the UN to artificially reduce the gravity of genocide to “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity,” avoiding mentioning and examining “intent,” isolating the crimes, and switching provisions specific to children.

The European Union has already allocated €10 million ($11.7 million) to support the tribunal’s preparatory “Advance Team,” while the European Parliament has repeatedly urged all EU member states to join the initiative to ensure its rapid launch.

Belgium joins a growing coalition of countries backing the tribunal, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Moldova, and the Czech Republic, all of which recently expressed support for the initiative.

The tribunal has already surpassed the minimum threshold of support required within the Council of Europe framework, marking a significant milestone in international efforts to hold Russia accountable for the war against Ukraine.