2023-05-04 15:45:00
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the creation of a special tribunal; To hold Russia accountable for its war of aggression once morest Ukraine, saying that Putin should be brought to justice.
This came during a speech he delivered in The Hague following his visit to the International Criminal Court.
Zelensky stressed in a press conference that wars of aggression can only be stopped by punishing the guilty.
“We will hold a separate trial to show that these people are not untouchable. We need justice.”
Earlier today, Zelensky said “we all want to see a different Vladimir here in The Hague, who deserves to be punished for his criminal actions here, in the capital of international law,” referring to the Russian president.
In March, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president for the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine.
And there are legal questions regarding how to legitimize a new court to hold Russia accountable for its aggression in Ukraine.
Russia, which is not a member of the International Criminal Court, denies committing atrocities during its conflict with Ukraine, which it describes as a “special operation” to “disarm” its neighbor.
The Ukrainian president held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo, during which he highlighted the need to expedite arms deliveries to Ukraine.
De Croo said Belgium was doing everything it might, including preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine.
He added that using Russian money to rebuild Ukraine makes perfect sense, from an economic and moral perspective.
The Netherlands has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte saying in February that he does not rule out any kind of military support for Kiev as long as it does not bring NATO into conflict with Russia.
He pledged “unwavering support,” saying there were no “taboos” on sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and that discussions were underway with other countries on the matter.
Explosions rock Ukraine
Regarding field developments, explosions were heard in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities on Thursday morning, a day following Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on the Kremlin.
Attacks were also reported in Zaporizhia and Odessa in the south.
A video showing the moments of an alleged Ukrainian attack on the Kremlin
On Wednesday, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Putin, but Zelensky denied that his country had carried out the attack.
He said, “We are not attacking Putin or Moscow. We are fighting on our lands. We are defending our villages and cities.”
Zelensky was speaking in Finland, where he made a surprise visit and met his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, and the leaders of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
In the wake of the alleged drone attacks, Russia threatened to retaliate at the right time and place.
On Wednesday, Russian strikes on the Kherson region, in southern Ukraine, killed 21 people.
image copyright Archyde.com
Zelensky speaks in Finland, where he made a surprise visit to meet the leaders of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
Officials said the victims included customers of a supermarket and employees of an energy company who were carrying out some repairs.
Sirens sounded in the early hours of Thursday morning across a number of Ukrainian regions.
It was reported that strong explosions were heard in Kiev and Odessa.
At the same time, a drone struck an oil refinery in southern Russia, setting part of it on fire – the latest in a series of explosions, fires and drone attacks in Russia in recent weeks.
Commentators believe that the alleged drone strike on the Kremlin was carried out by Russia on purpose.
The Institute for the Study of War said it was “very unlikely that two drones might penetrate multiple air defense platforms, explode or fall over the heart of the Kremlin in such a way as to provide stunning, well-shot images.”
The institute added that “Russia most likely launched this attack in order to re-alert the Russian people to war and create conditions for a broader societal mobilization.”
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, said he believed Russia launched the attack on the Kremlin in order to “show some kind of escalation on the part of Ukraine”.
But other commentators opposed this, saying that Russia does not care much regarding showing itself as a “weak” country, by launching an attack that makes the Kremlin, the seat of the presidency, appear weak as well.
It would also raise questions regarding the extent of Putin’s protection – and regarding the effectiveness of Russia’s air defenses.
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