Zelensky Wants Putin Behind Bars:At the NATO 2025 Summit, Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a historic agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression, targeting top Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized the need for international justice, unity between Europe and the US, and called for the tribunal to be based in The Hague.
Zelensky Wants Putin Behind Bars — Here’s What Happened at the NATO 2025 Summit
In a bold and historic move during his first visit to the Council of Europe since the onset of the war, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed a groundbreaking agreement aimed at prosecuting top Russian officials—including President Vladimir Putin—for the crime of aggression. This significant step toward justice took center stage at the NATO 2025 Summit in The Hague, where Zelensky renewed global calls to hold Russia accountable.
“Every war criminal must know there will be justice—and that includes Russia,” Zelensky declared, vowing to boost legal efforts in a serious and determined way. While acknowledging that the journey ahead is long, he expressed gratitude for the political momentum already achieved, thanking the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers, and all those providing leadership on the issue.
The proposed tribunal was officially requested by Ukraine and endorsed by the Council of Europe’s foreign ministers during a meeting in Luxembourg last month. The Council emphasized that this special tribunal would fill a legal gap left by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which cannot prosecute crimes of aggression. While the ICC has already issued arrest warrants for Putin over alleged war crimes such as the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, it lacks the authority to address the very act of launching the war.
Zelensky Says
I also informed the President about how the technical team’s meetings in Istanbul went, as well as the exchanges of prisoners and the fallen. Russia handed over the bodies of its own troops. Forensic examinations are currently being carried out in Kyiv to identify their relatives. We talked about the situation on the battlefield. Putin is definitely not winning.
I presented the President with the facts about what is really happening on the ground. Thank you for the meeting and your support. I’m also grateful for the truly kind words about our people. We will keep working.
The newly signed bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe marks the first step in establishing a tribunal specifically for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. If implemented, it would be the first of its kind under the 46-member body, making it a historic precedent in the realm of international justice. Zelensky proposed The Hague as the most suitable location for the tribunal and stressed that international law must apply to all nations equally—with no double standards or exceptions.
The summit also saw Zelensky pushing for unity between Europe and the United States, saying that such solidarity is key to Ukraine’s eventual triumph over Russia. In a closed-door meeting lasting 50 minutes, Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to sources, Trump said he would speak to Putin to help revive stalled peace talks, although no discussion of new sanctions on Moscow was made public.
“Do you know President Trump? We have heard of him. We need a strong connection with him. We need Europe. I think we need unity between Europe and the United States—and we will prevail,” Zelensky remarked, underscoring the critical need for transatlantic cooperation.
This series of developments represents a major stride in Ukraine’s pursuit of accountability, justice, and peace. The creation of a special tribunal could not only hold Russian leaders accountable but also reshape the way the world addresses crimes of aggression by powerful states.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on public statements and evolving developments. Details may change as official sources release more information.