Netherlands to host full Special Tribunal on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

The Dutch government has decided to host not only the preparatory phases of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, but also its full operational phase, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Facebook. 

The Minister said the Netherlands decided to host not only the preparatory phases of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (Phase 0 – Advance Team; Phase 1 – Skeleton Tribunal), but also its full operational phase (Phase 2 – fully fledged operational Special Tribunal).

According to Sybiha, the Special Tribunal is now moving beyond the stage of concepts and political discussions and is taking on a real institutional shape.

As the news outlet Ukrainka Pravda explained, Phase 1 (Skeleton Tribunal) is the transitional stage. During this phase, the institutional framework is established in The Hague: 15 judges are selected for the roster, a Registrar is appointed, core staff are gradually recruited, procedural rules are adopted, international cooperation agreements are concluded, and the administrative and technical infrastructure is put in place. At this stage, the tribunal does not yet administer justice but is completing preparations to become fully operational.

Phase 2 (fully fledged Tribunal) marks the tribunal’s full operation. Once the preparatory stages are complete, the institution begins exercising its jurisdiction by launching investigations, issuing indictments, conducting trials and delivering judgments on the crime of aggression.

By then, all key bodies must be established, permanent premises and security infrastructure must be in place, and the mechanisms for international cooperation required for the effective administration of justice must be fully operational.

“This decision goes far beyond an organisational matter. It demonstrates the international community’s readiness to move from supporting the very idea of accountability to creating an institution that will deliver it in practice,” Sybiha stated.

You may also want to read: Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine open to global participation — Dr. Anton Korynevych

To provide background, at a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 15 May 2026, participants approved a key decision to launch the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

The Office of the President of Ukraine expects the special tribunal to begin operating next year.

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