Rita Tamašunienė: consistent and full support for Ukraine remains one of Lithuania's top priorities
Today, on the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė emphasises that consistent and full support for Ukraine remains one of Lithuania's top priorities.
The Minister of Justice stresses that Lithuania was not only one of the first countries to express its readiness to join the Special Tribunal seeking criminal liability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, but will also continue to take the lead in international formats to ensure that russia is held liable.
“Unconditional support for Ukraine remains a cornerstone of the state's international policy, therefore, this cooperation in the field of justice will be strengthened, taking into account the needs of Ukraine, with particular attention paid to the successful integration of Ukraine into the European Union,” says Rita Tamašunienė.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of Justice will actively implement measures to strengthen Ukraine by engaging in both national and international formats in the area of justice.
On 25 June 2025, Ukraine and the Council of Europe signed a bilateral agreement providing for the establishment of the Special Tribunal. The Agreement is accompanied by the Statute of the Special Tribunal, which defines the main principles and rules of activities of the Tribunal.
In order to ensure the participation of states in the activities of the Special Tribunal and the financing of the Tribunal, the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal has been drafted and submitted to the Council of Europe to be approved by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe by adopting a relevant resolution.
On 19 November 2025, the Government of Lithuania adopted a resolution which, taking into account Lithuania's active role in the process of establishment of the the Special Tribunal, provides that Lithuania will become a founding member, i.e., it will accede to the relevant resolution of the Committee of Ministers establishing the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal at the time of its adoption.
Under the procedures of the Council of Europe, states may become members of the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal by participating in the process of adoption of the resolution on the Partial Agreement by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In such a case, they become members from the date of adoption of the resolution.
The seat of the Special Tribunal is expected to be in The Hague, the Netherlands.