Sweden joins special tribunal and international claims commission for Ukraine

Sweden has a been a driving force behind the establishment of the Special Tribunal and the International Claims Commission.

The Tribunal will prosecute and sentence high-ranking political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The Tribunal is intended as a complement to the investigations by the International Criminal Court and the national investigations that are already underway in Ukraine and other countries. This is the first time since the end of the Second World War that such a tribunal has been established.

The International Claims Commission is a step towards ensuring that Russia pays for the damage it has caused in Ukraine since the launch of its full-scale invasion. This work was initiated in 2023 with the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, which records claims and evidence of damage resulting from Russia’s war of aggression. The Register has already recorded more than 160 000 claims. The International Claims Commission will evaluate and decide on the claims.

On 18 June, the Government decided that Sweden will accede to an Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Tribunal and ratify the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. This follows a decision by the Riksdag on 11 June.

Joining the Tribunal and the International Claims Commission is part of Sweden’s efforts to support Ukraine and demand accountability of Russia. Established under the Council of Europe, these mechanisms are important for ensuring redress and justice for Ukraine and the victims of Russia’s war crimes.