International Center for Prosecution of Crime of Aggression against Ukraine will be launched by late June

The Minister for European Affairs of Sweden's EU Presidency, Jessika Roswall, said this at a meeting of the European Parliament, Ukrinform reports.

“The fight against impunity cannot rely on the International Criminal Court alone. Discussions on the establishment of a mechanism to punish the crime of aggression are actively moving forward. The International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in The Hague, which will be supported by Eurojust, is an important first step towards bringing (perpetrators) to justice for the crime of aggression. We hope to open this center by the end of June,” Roswall said.

The representative of the Swedish Presidency recalled at least 700 Ukrainian children who became victims of the Russian war and emphasized that the EU Council is determined to ensure full accountability for the worst crimes related to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

“The EU Council emphasizes that Russia must immediately organize the safe return of Ukrainians who have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia, especially children,” Roswall said.

The European official recalled that in March, the EU Council took note of the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova issued in connection with their involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children.

The representative of the Swedish Presidency noted that the EU Council also supported other efforts to investigate serious international crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian aggression. Thus, a joint team of investigators and a new database of evidence of international crimes were created by the Ukrainian authorities and EU member states.

“The Swedish Presidency of the EU will continue to cooperate with the European Commission at all levels and coordinate activities to ensure accountability for the crimes committed in Ukraine,” Roswall emphasized.

• Earlier, Vice President of the European Commission Věra Jourová said that all signatory countries to the Rome Statute are obliged to execute the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova.