‘We want to see the establishment of a Special International Tribunal that will bring Putin to justice’, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU stated this during an interview for a German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze believes that the International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of Russian President Putin is only the beginning of establishing justice: ‘Today we have 14.000 documented cases of forced deportation of Ukrainian children. We must make every effort — at the level of international organisations, non-governmental activists and everyone who can help — to return Ukrainian children home. This is not only a war crime. The kidnapping and deportation of Ukrainian children from their families is an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people... We want to be sure that Putin and his henchmen will be brought to justice’.

She added that everyone who committed war crimes in Ukraine must be punished. A Special International Tribunal should be established to bring Russian President Putin to justice for committing the crime of aggression, because it cannot be done within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. ‘We also hope that all member states of the Rome Statute will take Putin's arrest warrant seriously and, as we have already heard from the German Minister of Justice, Putin’s international movement will be restricted. This warrant will make those who continue to support Putin think twice,’ said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s integration into the EU emphasised that it is critically important to guarantee a very quick effective supply of the weapons that have already been promised to Ukraine. This will give Ukrainians, in addition to courage and bravery, real tools to protect their land and to liberate occupied territories: ‘We cannot achieve this without the support of our Western partners. They — both at the level of political elites and the society — should be aware of the risks that Russia poses for them as well. It is not only about Ukraine. It is about an international order. The Russian Federation attempts to establish a completely different order, where international borders can be changed forcibly and impunity for committed crimes reigns. Realising this is a key to the long-term support of the West’.

Regarding the European integration of Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that it is important to honestly communicate this issue with the society. Do not cherish unrealistic dreams of ultra-fast membership in the EU but focus on step-by-step work: ‘At the same time, I consider it an ambitious and realistic goal to open negotiations on joining the EU already at the end of this year. And this is where we need to focus our efforts...I am sure that the transformations on Ukraine's path to the EU will guarantee transformation for better’.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed confidence that the courage and incredible ability to mobilise Ukrainian society will be further supported by the West, and the support will be prompt and timely: ‘So that we get the tools to defend ourselves and liberate our land’. She is also sure that the war will end with the victory of Ukraine.

Watch the interview