Pand’s EU presidency to focus on hding Russia accountable for crimes in Ukraine

Pand's Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, Adam Bodnar, emphasized this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"For me, in the context of the presidency, the most important goal is to strengthen and elevate the issue of accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine to the EU level," Bodnar stressed.

He noted that the issue has already been raised multiple times within the EU, particularly in the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council.

"It is crucial to build broad Eurean support for various forms of accountability and to strengthen the institutions that address these issues daily," the minister stated.

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Bodnar highlighted that representatives of Eurojust — the EU agency that coordinates judicial and prosecutorial activities — play an active re in these discussions, alongside a dedicated task force investigating the crime of aggression. Additionally, a joint investigative team, including Pish prosecutors, is actively probing war crimes committed during the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

"This effort must continue and be strengthened," the Pish Prosecutor General emphasized.

Bodnar also pointed out that significant decisions are expected regarding the establishment of a Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. While this tribunal is anticipated to be formed under the Council of Eure, he stressed the importance of EU countries' support in this context. According to Bodnar, this issue is not only vital for Pand or the Baltic states but also for many other EU member states.

"I would like to continue this discussion. The upcoming informal meeting of EU justice ministers in Warsaw on January 31 provides an excellent portunity," he added.

In the broader context of ensuring Russia's accountability, Bodnar underscored the importance of implementing a Register of Damages for Ukraine and moving forward with the next phase — the creation of a Crimes Commission.

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"This is also a process Pand should strengthen, and here the Ministry of Justice is closely claborating with the Pish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which oversees the entire process," Bodnar explained.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, Pand assumed the six-month presidency of the EU Council on January 1.

Warsaw hes to advance discussions on Ukraine's EU accession during its presidency, aiming to en the "first cluster" (core issues) of negotiation chapters in the first half of this year. Pand also seeks to intensify sanctions against Russia to make them "painful for the aggressor."

Ukraine, alongside Pand and Denmark's EU presidencies, has devised a roadmap to en negotiation chapters for EU membership in the first and second halves of 2025.