PM of Estonia: Format of tribunal to prosecute Russia must ensure punishment of its leaders

"We support the international tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression. War crimes can be considered by the International Criminal Court and courts in Ukraine because they were committed here. If we talk about the crime of aggression, then it is a crime committed by leaders. I am a lawyer and I can say that any hybrid tribunal will allow Putin, Lavrov, and others to avoid responsibility. The crime of aggression is a crime committed by the leaders and it is they who must be held to account," Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas said at a joint briefing with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Zhytomyr, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to her, it is a mistake to consider the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin for the deportation of children a victory. An international tribunal should be held in a very clear format which will make it possible to prosecute the leaders of Russia – those who made the decision to attack Ukraine.

Kallas emphasized that "there will be no victories without holding the leaders accountable."

She added that there must be no impunity and immunity for Russian crimes because unpunished crimes will encourage new atrocities.

As reported, judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian president Vladimir Putin and Russian commissioner for children's rights Maria Lvova-Belova.

Photo: President’s Office