Russia must not escape responsibility for crimes committed in Ukraine. The EU insists: peace cannot be achieved without justice. But bringing the guilty parties to court remains a major challenge…
While the war has raged in Ukraine for more than a year, the question of Russia's responsibility for the crimes committed has come back to the forefront. Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy, said during a visit to the country that Moscow will have to be held accountable, whatever the future peace agreement.
A just and lasting peace requires justice
For Mr Borrell, a simple ceasefire will not be enough. Peace, to be lasting, must be accompanied by justice. It is a warning to those who would like to end the conflict at all costs, even if it means turning a blind eye to the abuses.
What matters is that the war ends in a way where there is accountability, that it is not just economic reconstruction, but that everyone is accountable
Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief
These comments echo the fears of Ukraine and certain European countries. With the election of Donald Trump, known for wanting a rapid end to the conflict, many fear that kyiv will be pushed into territorial concessions.
Freeze Russian assets to finance reconstruction
Beyond the legal proceedings, Mr. Borrell suggested using the approximately $300 billion in Russian assets frozen by the West to rebuild Ukraine. A way to make Moscow pay for part of the damage.
This could be used to pay these bills and for compensation to the people who suffered for the destruction caused by the Russian invasion.
Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief
The challenge of international legal proceedings
But bringing Russian officials to justice remains a real headache. Despite 140,000 war crimes cases opened by Ukraine and arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and senior officers, efforts to create an international tribunal have stalled.
For now, kyiv can count on the support of its allies to gather evidence and conduct its own investigations. But holding those most responsible to account will require long-term international political will.
Avoiding impunity, a crucial issue for the future
Beyond the Ukrainian case, it is the credibility of international justice that is at stake. Leaving war crimes and crimes against humanity unpunished would be a dangerous precedent. This would amount to giving the aggressors a free pass.
The international community must therefore be there. Ukrainian victims, like all victims of conflict, have the right to truth, justice and reparation. It is at this price that lasting peace can be built.
In the end, what will make the difference between a peace of the brave and a peace of the cowardly is not only when and how the war ends. This is also and above all what we will do next with the crimes that have been committed.
An immense challenge therefore awaits Ukraine and the international community in the aftermath of the war. But a challenge worthy of the suffering endured and the principles to defend. Because without justice, peace will be just an empty word.
