Martes, 28 de julio de 2026
Crime without punishment begets crime
Children were playing football when a Russian missile hit in the middle of a school stadium in Kharkiv. Three boys, who just wanted to live a normal peaceful life, go to school, play football, are now fighting for their lives. This is the price of the aggression that Russia continues to commit on the territory of Ukraine.
It is not for nothing that the crime of aggression is called the mother of all crimes. It is the most serious first crime that gives rise to all other international crimes: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The invasion of the territory of a sovereign state, which Russia carried out against Ukraine in 2014, and repeated in 2022, without receiving a proper reaction from the international community and increasing its forces, became the largest act of aggression in Europe since World War II. And the higher political and military leadership of the Russian Federation must answer for it.
The International Criminal Court cannot investigate the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, the Special Tribunal should be created to punish those who planned, started and supported the conduct of war.
This idea is included in the Ukrainian peace formula proposed to the world community by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. And we are grateful to every country, in particular courageous Spain, which supported the creation of the Special Tribunal in The Hague. This gives millions of people in Ukraine and around the world hope for the restoration of justice.
The citizens of Europe must understand that impunity only breeds new crimes. One day an unpunished rapist will definitely commit a new crime, but this time your loved ones may become his/her victim.
The lack of a decisive response by the European community to the ongoing aggression of the Russian Federation will be a manifestation of weakness and a signal that world dictatorships can painlessly influence sovereign European states, using all possible information, political and military tools. Moreover, it can boldly occupy foreign territories.
Therefore, without fair punishment of the aggressor in Europe, there will always be a threat of the outbreak of new wars.
With all this in mind, European leaders cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities taking place at the EU's borders today.
Ukraine cannot single-handedly bring the Russian leadership to justice for the crime of aggression. The International Tribunal is required for such actions. It will show the true strength, nobility and courage of world democracies. After all, protecting the victim from her attacker is a matter of honor.
The best option today is the International Tribunal, created either on the basis of Ukraine's agreement with the UN or through a multilateral international treaty. Along with that, there is also a proposal of a model open for signing a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. By the way, Spain's presidency of the Council of Europe last year played an important role in this.
No matter which way we go, it will be difficult to bring the current Russian leadership to justice, in particular, due to the existence of their personal immunities. Some world leaders fear that overcoming immunity will hinder any potential negotiation process with Russia.
Personally, I do not share such concerns. The establishment of the Special Tribunal, which will be able to overcome the immunity of the current Russian leadership, will be a manifestation of true strength and determination to punish the attacker. It will cause serious pressure on the internal Russian elites, contribute to the weakening of the kremlin regime and encourage russia to make concessions to the international community by ending its aggression against Ukraine.
We cannot wait for the end of the war to create the Special Tribunal.
Every day of procrastination, doubt or fear brings a new victim of the Russian aggressor.
Even now, as you read this article, Russian missiles are flying over Ukrainian cities, civilians are dying, the Sumy region is preparing for another invasion, wounded children in Kharkiv continue to fight for their lives.
In 2014, the world hesitated and feared, so the aggressor moved on, and now Ukrainians are forced to pay the highest price for the continuation of the Russian aggression. After all the victims and losses, it is worth thinking whether we will be able to talk about justice and security in Europe without punishing the aggressor?
It is not for nothing that the crime of aggression is called the mother of all crimes. It is the most serious first crime that gives rise to all other international crimes: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The invasion of the territory of a sovereign state, which Russia carried out against Ukraine in 2014, and repeated in 2022, without receiving a proper reaction from the international community and increasing its forces, became the largest act of aggression in Europe since World War II. And the higher political and military leadership of the Russian Federation must answer for it.
The International Criminal Court cannot investigate the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, the Special Tribunal should be created to punish those who planned, started and supported the conduct of war.
This idea is included in the Ukrainian peace formula proposed to the world community by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. And we are grateful to every country, in particular courageous Spain, which supported the creation of the Special Tribunal in The Hague. This gives millions of people in Ukraine and around the world hope for the restoration of justice.
The citizens of Europe must understand that impunity only breeds new crimes. One day an unpunished rapist will definitely commit a new crime, but this time your loved ones may become his/her victim.
The lack of a decisive response by the European community to the ongoing aggression of the Russian Federation will be a manifestation of weakness and a signal that world dictatorships can painlessly influence sovereign European states, using all possible information, political and military tools. Moreover, it can boldly occupy foreign territories.
Therefore, without fair punishment of the aggressor in Europe, there will always be a threat of the outbreak of new wars.
With all this in mind, European leaders cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities taking place at the EU's borders today.
Ukraine cannot single-handedly bring the Russian leadership to justice for the crime of aggression. The International Tribunal is required for such actions. It will show the true strength, nobility and courage of world democracies. After all, protecting the victim from her attacker is a matter of honor.
The best option today is the International Tribunal, created either on the basis of Ukraine's agreement with the UN or through a multilateral international treaty. Along with that, there is also a proposal of a model open for signing a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. By the way, Spain's presidency of the Council of Europe last year played an important role in this.
No matter which way we go, it will be difficult to bring the current Russian leadership to justice, in particular, due to the existence of their personal immunities. Some world leaders fear that overcoming immunity will hinder any potential negotiation process with Russia.
Personally, I do not share such concerns. The establishment of the Special Tribunal, which will be able to overcome the immunity of the current Russian leadership, will be a manifestation of true strength and determination to punish the attacker. It will cause serious pressure on the internal Russian elites, contribute to the weakening of the kremlin regime and encourage russia to make concessions to the international community by ending its aggression against Ukraine.
We cannot wait for the end of the war to create the Special Tribunal.
Every day of procrastination, doubt or fear brings a new victim of the Russian aggressor.
Even now, as you read this article, Russian missiles are flying over Ukrainian cities, civilians are dying, the Sumy region is preparing for another invasion, wounded children in Kharkiv continue to fight for their lives.
In 2014, the world hesitated and feared, so the aggressor moved on, and now Ukrainians are forced to pay the highest price for the continuation of the Russian aggression. After all the victims and losses, it is worth thinking whether we will be able to talk about justice and security in Europe without punishing the aggressor?
Denys Maslov
Jefe de la Comisión de Política Jurídica del Parlamento ucraniano, miembro del grupo de trabajo ucraniano sobre la creación de un tribunal internacional especial para el crimen de agresión contra Ucrania.
Ahora en portada
27 de julio de 2026
27 de julio de 2026
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