Paris, June 26 (NationPress) Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, have formalized an agreement to create a Special Tribunal addressing the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, including the Statute of the Special Tribunal in Strasbourg, France.

"In collaboration with Secretary General Alain Berset, we have signed a pivotal agreement for the formation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This agreement and tribunal provide us with a significant opportunity to pursue justice for the crime of aggression," Zelensky shared on X.

"We need to convey a strong message: aggression incurs consequences. This must be a united effort — throughout Europe. The Hague awaits those accountable. There must be justice. We appreciate the Council of Europe for spearheading this initiative. Justice will undoubtedly prevail," he added.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also expressed her support for the agreement on social media.

"I extend my warmest welcome to the agreement established between President Zelensky and the Council of Europe for the creation of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression. The aggressors will face justice, and justice will be served," the EU chief stated in a post on X.

The Council of Europe stands as the foremost human rights organization on the continent. On Wednesday, the organization's Committee of Ministers, which is made up of representatives from its 46 member states, authorized Secretary General Berset to sign the agreement.

"Ukraine and the Council of Europe have officially signed the agreement to set up the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This landmark signing serves as a reminder that international law must be upheld universally — without exceptions or double standards. This tribunal aims to establish a distinction between victims and aggressors, between impunity and accountability, as lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe relies on accountability," remarked Secretary General Berset.

The Ukrainian authorities requested the establishment of the Special Tribunal on May 13, which was subsequently endorsed by the annual meeting of the Council of Europe foreign ministers in Luxembourg the next day.