On 23 February, the international conference Justice Conference was held in Kyiv, dedicated to issues of holding the Russian Federation accountable for the crime of aggression, establishing a Special Tribunal, launching compensation mechanisms, and returning illegally deported Ukrainian children.
The event became an important international platform for discussing practical steps toward restoring international legal order and ensuring justice for the victims of Russian aggression. Participants emphasized that peace without accountability for the aggressor cannot be sustainable and creates a dangerous precedent for global security.
Special attention was given to the issue of the deportation of Ukrainian children. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska noted that Russia is carrying out a systematic policy of abduction, forced assimilation, and isolation of Ukrainian children from their families and national identity. The return of children was identified as one of the key humanitarian and legal priorities for Ukraine and the international community.
The conference also addressed the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression and the implementation of a compensation mechanism for victims. It was emphasized that responsibility must be borne both by Russia’s military and political leadership and by those directly involved in committing crimes.
Among the participants of the conference were First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Iryna Mudra, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, the Netherlands’ Special Envoy for the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine Arjen Uijterlinde, as well as representatives of civil society, ministries of justice and foreign affairs of the European Union member states, and leading international experts on the tribunal, compensation mechanisms, and the protection of children’s rights.
Participants concluded that holding Russia accountable for war crimes, returning deported Ukrainian children, and compensating for the damage caused are essential conditions for achieving a just peace and strengthening international security.
The Justice Conference became another step toward building an international coalition aimed at restoring the rule of international law and preventing impunity for crimes against humanity.