The European Council of the European Union (EU) has reached an agreement on the legal foundations for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the BBC reports.

If this tribunal is established, it will become independent of the International Criminal Court.

The “crime of aggression” is a separate category of international crimes, which means war against another state. Unlike “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity”—for which both ordinary participants in the conflict and commanders of both sides can be held accountable—, the “crime of aggression” can be attributed exclusively to the top leadership of the country that made the decision to attack. Thus, if a decision is made to establish the aforesaid tribunal, its work will concern Russian President Vladimir Putin, first and foremost.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, said she had no doubt that Putin had committed a crime of aggression by deciding to attack Ukraine and violate its sovereignty. He had spoken openly about it, Kallas added, DW reports.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also stressed that Russia's actions were a gross violation of international law.

“When Russia chose to roll its tanks over Ukraine’s borders, breaking the UN Charter, it committed one of the gravest violations: the Crime of Aggression. Now, justice is coming. Justice for Ukraine,” von der Leyen said, in particular.