Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories
(): I wish to update the
House on the Government's position regarding the establishment of
The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Today the Foreign Secretary is in Moldova to attend the two-day
Council of Europe meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs where
the resolution establishing the operating model for the Special
Tribunal will be adopted.
The Special Tribunal will have the power to investigate,
prosecute and try political and military leaders who bear the
greatest responsibility for Russian aggression against Ukraine.
It is being established through an Agreement between Ukraine and
the Council of Europe, supported by participating states via an
Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA). The EPA is a Council of Europe
agreement that allows members and non-members to collaborate on
specific issues.
Current status of the Tribunal
Negotiations at the Council of Europe have resulted in agreement
on the text of the EPA, which sets out the Tribunal's operating
model. Adoption of the resolution establishing the EPA is
expected to take place during the Council of Europe Foreign
Ministers Meeting in Chisinau which begins today.
Following adoption, the EPA will not come into force until
further negotiations take place and agreement is reached on
appropriate conditions. These negotiations will include the
number of states required to join the EPA for entry into force,
and agreement on budgetary parameters and financial safeguards.
In joining the Tribunal, the UK will have a commitment to
consider forms of cooperation with the Tribunal, and it is likely
that cooperation agreements will require primary legislation. We
will keep Parliament updated as the process advances.
The adoption of the EPA will mark significant progress towards
accountability for Russian aggression against Ukraine. Ensuring
the Tribunal's political and financial sustainability will be
vital to its success, and we remain committed to working closely
with Ukraine and our international partners to deliver a robust
mechanism for justice.
Since Russia's unlawful full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the
United Kingdom has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine
and committed to ensuring accountability for atrocities committed
during Russia's illegal war. We are working closely with Ukraine
and other international partners to identify effective pathways
for justice, both internationally and through supporting Ukraine
on domestic prosecution.
Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories
(): The Government has today
laid the following statement as an un-numbered Act Paper pursuant
to section 21(2) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act
2010:
On 16 December 2025 the United Kingdom signed
the Convention establishing an International Claims
Commission for Ukraine.
The Government laid this Convention in Parliament on 13
April 2026 under Command Paper number
CP 1561, accompanied by an Explanatory
Memorandum.
In accordance with section 21 of the Constitutional Reform and
Governance Act 2010 (CRaG), I wish to inform the House that the
21 sitting day period that relates to this Convention pursuant to
section 20(1) CRaG is to be extended. The 21 sitting day period
is to be extended by 10 sitting days.
This extension follows a request from the House of Lords
International Agreements Committee for further time to consider
the Convention.
