Sweden has confirmed its intention to become a co-founder of the Special Tribunal against Russia

On March 25, 2026, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmér Stenergård announced the official confirmation of the country’s participation in the Agreement on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression. 

The head of the foreign ministry emphasized that this step is part of efforts to ensure that Russia is held accountable for its crimes against Ukraine, according to the European Parliament. Sweden will serve as one of the co-founding states of the future international judicial mechanism.

According to Malmer Stenergard, joining the agreement marks a new stage on the path to the practical establishment of the tribunal. The minister added on social media platform X that the international community must ensure punishment for acts of aggression committed by the Russian leadership. Previously, Stockholm had repeatedly called for increased legal pressure on Moscow and support for Kyiv’s initiatives to restore justice within the framework of international law.

On March 25, the European Commission adopted a proposal to initiate the process of the EU joining the ranks of the founding members of the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Once the member states approve this proposal, the European Commission will be able to announce the EU’s intention to join the Tribunal as a founding member. Thereafter, the EU will play a central role in the tribunal’s activities, including as a member of the Steering Committee that will oversee the Special Tribunal.

Earlier, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated the need to accelerate the process of establishing a special tribunal on Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called on the international community to urgently establish a special tribunal to hold the direct organizers and instigators of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine accountable.