European Commission joins the Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine

On 5 May 2026, Member States adopted a Decision authorising the Commission, on behalf of the EU, to participate in the adoption of the Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, expressing the EU's intention to join the Tribunal as a founding member at a later stage. On 15 May 2026, the European Commission joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement, which set out the institutional, administrative and financial aspects of the Special Tribunal. This decision allows the eventual ratification by participating states and organisations of the Convention which will officially establish the Special Tribunal, which will have the power to investigate and prosecute senior Russian political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.  

On the same day, the Commission also ratified the Convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, which will be responsible for reviewing, assessing, and determining claims for, and eventual amount of, compensation for the damage, loss and injury caused by Russia to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. 

The Commission has played a crucial role in the establishment of the Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal and it is financially supporting them to ensure they can become fully operational as soon as they enter into force, since they will be the fundamental international bodies ensuring full accountability for the international crimes, and compensation for damages, committed in Ukraine. This shows that the EU is committed to supporting Ukraine and its people in their pursuit of justice and accountability.