Zelenskyy Calls for Putin War Crimes Trial | Ukraine War Updates
Zelenskyy demands justice, calling for teh prosecution of Vladimir Putin as a war criminal following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A special tribunal is set to be established to address the war crimes and hold Russian officials accountable for their aggression. This initiative, formalized with the Council of Europe, underscores a commitment to ensure no one, including Putin, evades justice. This will fill a gap in the ICC’s jurisdiction. The tribunal’s role includes the potential prosecution of senior Russian figures. The Hague is being considered as a potential location. News Directory 3 is following this event carefully, as the international community watches the tribunal’s developments and ongoing investigations. Discover what’s next as Zelenskyy’s vision for justice unfolds.
Zelenskyy Calls for Putin prosecution Over Ukraine Invasion
Updated June 26, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing for the prosecution of Russian President Vladimir Putin, branding him a “war criminal” for initiating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s demand came after he formalized an agreement with the Council of europe to establish a special tribunal.This tribunal would be dedicated to prosecuting Russian officials, including Putin, for the aggression against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for accountability. “We need to show clearly,aggression leads to punishment,and we must make it happen together,all of Europe,” Zelenskyy said after signing the accord with Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset. He added, “It will take strong political and legal courage to make sure every Russian war criminal faces justice, including Putin.” The push for a special tribunal highlights the ongoing effort to seek justice for the war crimes and hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine, a crime of aggression.
Putin already faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for allegedly illegally transporting children out of Ukraine, a designated war crime. While the ICC can investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, it lacks jurisdiction over “crimes of aggression.” The special tribunal aims to fill this gap by prosecuting Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The tribunal’s role could possibly extend to senior Russian figures, including Putin.
The location of the tribunal remains undecided, but Zelenskyy suggested The Hague, home to the ICC, as an ideal choice. This marks the first instance of such a tribunal being established under the Council of Europe. ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, previously stated that the special tribunal would “give Ukraine a path to justice for the top-level decision to invade its territory – a wrong that no other international court or tribunal can currently address.”
The European Council has indicated that the tribunal could also prosecute individuals from North Korea and Belarus who aided russia in the invasion. The Council of Europe,with 46 members,includes non-EU states such as Turkiye,the United Kingdom,and Ukraine. Russia was expelled following its invasion.
In addition to the warrant for putin, the ICC seeks the arrest of four Russian commanders for allegedly targeting civilians.
What’s next
The international community will be watching closely as the special tribunal takes shape, and as investigations continue into alleged war crimes committed during the conflict in Ukraine. the pursuit of justice remains a central focus for Ukraine and its allies.