The tribunal will hold Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ministers to account for the invasion of Ukraine

European Allies Endorse Special Tribunal

European Union foreign ministers, who met in the Ukrainian city of Lviv on Friday, signed off on the tribunal, named the “Lviv statement”, to mark the conclusion of the technical work to draft the legal body.

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told reporters there was no space for “impunity”.

“Russia’s aggression cannot go unpunished and therefore establishing this tribunal is extremely important,” Kallas said.

“This tribunal will ensure that those most responsible for the aggression against Ukraine are held accountable,” she added.

Ukrainian President’s Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said the tribunal was part of the continent’s moral duty to hold Russia accountable for the war.

“A strong tribunal for the crime of aggression can – and must – make any potential aggressor think twice,” he said in a video address to the meeting.

Russia’s Response

Meanwhile, Russia declined to respond to news of the tribunal. “We are not reacting to this,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, according to the TASS state news agency.

Legal Proceedings Against Russia

An EU official told the Reuters news agency that the tribunal would have to respect Putin and his officials’ immunity while in office, but a prosecutor could investigate and propose an indictment ready for when the immunity is dropped.

Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel welcomed the move and told Reuters that the tribunal was a good step because it “fills a void that currently exists”.

Other Legal Instruments

While the tribunal could start operating this year, it is not the only legal instrument being used against Russia for its war on Ukraine.

In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin and other Russian officials for the forced deportation of children and attacks on Ukrainian energy sites.

Frozen Russian Assets

Elsewhere on Friday, France announced that it would begin tapping into income from frozen Russian assets to help maintain about 60 French-made Caesar howitzers delivered to Ukraine.

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that using the funds will ensure the “continued maintenance of the Caesar cannons it has supplied to Ukraine to help resist Russian attacks”.

“We want peace, and today the only obstacle to peace is in Moscow, parading around under the name of Vladimir Putin,” said Barrot, adding that pressure must be put on the Russian leader to agree to a ceasefire.

In Lviv, the EU’s Kalas also pledged to disburse one billion euros ($1.1bn) from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to Ukrainian arms companies.

“We have just made available 1 billion euros for the Ukrainian defence industry so that Ukraine could better defend itself,” Kallas said. “This funding will directly support Ukrainian defence companies and secure additional military aid over the coming months, which are critical.”

The West has frozen around $300bn of Russian central bank assets – most of which are located in Europe – over Moscow’s February 2022 invasion.

Putin’s Defiance

Friday’s developments came as Putin told a military parade in front of key allies, including China’s Xi Jinping, that Russia would be victorious in Europe.

Anticipation Builds in St. Peter’s Square

The Wait for a New Pope Continues

Anticipation had been building in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday morning as people started to think in earnest that the cardinals would elect a new pope. But when the first smoke of the day came, just before noon, it was black — indicating that there was still no consensus inside the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals were voting.

High Hopes for White Smoke

Because the past two conclaves to elect Francis and Benedict XVI lasted two days, many of the faithful and tourists milling around the square as a light morning rain turned into bright sunshine said they expected white smoke on Thursday but not until the evening.

• Many expected white smoke in the evening
• Black smoke at noon surprised the crowd
• Cellphones trained on giant screens for updates

International Visitors Share Their Expectations

Judith Duru, a nursing student from Nigeria, expressed her trust in the cardinals to select a pope who can care for the people. She filmed the smoke on the screen, emphasizing that the pope’s origin did not matter as long as he had a good heart.

• Hope for a pope who can understand and care for the people
• Origin of the pope not a deciding factor for some
• Trust in the cardinals’ decision-making process

Devoted Followers Prepare for a Long Wait

Despite the black smoke, many visitors planned to remain in St. Peter’s Square throughout the day in anticipation of the white smoke.

• International crowd with flags from across the world
• Some visitors prepared to stay all day
• Devoted followers hope for a swift election

International Visitors Share Their Views

Hopes for Continuation of Francis’ Work

Joaquín Cáceres and Lucía Pérez, Argentines living in Spain, shared their wager on the timing of the smoke, expressing their desire for the new pope to continue Francis’ work.

• Wager on the timing of the smoke
• Desire for continuity in the new pope’s work
• Hope for a pope who follows in Francis’ footsteps

Expectations and Preparations

Visitors like Philipp and Kathrin Wilmes from Germany and Maciej Czaharyn from Iceland shared their experiences and preparations for the long wait in the square.

• Visitors share their experiences and preparations
• Hope for an election before their departure
• Willingness to wait for the white smoke

Youthful Enthusiasm for a Charismatic Pope

Flavia Valle, a young Italian, expressed her excitement at the prospect of seeing the new pope and her hope for a charismatic leader like Francis.

• Skipping school to witness the election
• Desire for a pope who connects with the youth
• Hope for a charismatic leader to emerge

How has Russia’s leader maintained his longevity – and how has it shaped the world?

The Rise of Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, has been in power for a remarkable 25 years. His journey to the top began in 1999 when he was appointed Prime Minister by then-President Boris Yeltsin. In a surprising move, Yeltsin resigned on New Year’s Eve of the same year, leaving Putin as the acting President. He won the presidential election in 2000 and has held onto power ever since.

Key Points:

• Putin’s rise to power was swift and unexpected.
• He has maintained his grip on power through various means, including political maneuvering and strategic alliances.
• Putin’s popularity in Russia remains high, despite criticism from the international community.

A Changing Worldview

Over the years, Putin’s worldview has evolved, shaped by his experiences in power and changing global dynamics. Initially seen as a pragmatic leader focused on stabilizing Russia after the chaos of the 1990s, Putin has since adopted a more assertive and nationalist stance.

Key Points:

• Putin’s foreign policy has become more confrontational, particularly with Western countries.
• He has sought to reassert Russia’s influence on the world stage, often through military interventions in neighboring countries.
• Putin’s vision of a multipolar world challenges the dominance of the United States and its allies.

Impact on the World

Putin’s longevity in power has had a profound impact on the world, shaping international relations and global politics in significant ways. His assertive foreign policy and willingness to challenge the status quo have made him a polarizing figure on the world stage.

Key Points:

• Putin’s support for authoritarian regimes and his efforts to undermine democratic institutions have raised concerns among Western democracies.
• Russia’s involvement in conflicts in Ukraine and Syria has drawn international criticism and led to sanctions against the country.
• Putin’s close relationship with other authoritarian leaders, such as China’s Xi Jinping, has created new power dynamics in global politics.

What’s Next for Putin?

As Putin celebrates 25 years in power, the question on many minds is what comes next for the Russian President. Will he continue to assert Russia’s influence on the world stage, or will he seek to consolidate his power at home?

Key Points:

• Putin’s next move is uncertain, but one thing is clear: he shows no signs of stepping down anytime soon.
• His grip on power remains strong, thanks in part to his popularity among the Russian people.
• As the world watches, Putin’s actions in the coming years will undoubtedly shape global politics for years to come.