Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib on Wednesday called for a special international tribunal to be set up to prosecute those responsible for Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Minister spoke before the United Nations Security Council, where dozens of state representatives are discussing the conflict this week.
"Under the Rome Statute, this Council should refer the matter to the International Criminal Court. But it is paralysed," she said, referring to Russia's right of veto within the Security Council, which therefore rendered it powerless.
"Belgium therefore fully supports efforts to set up a special international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine. So that it does not go unpunished," Lahbib continued.
The Minister also denounced Moscow's withdrawal from the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain. "Russia had no qualms about blocking the maritime transport of grain and targeting infrastructure that feeds the whole world. Turning this aggression into a cynical business model, it has thus strengthened its position on the grain market."
Earlier that day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had directly challenged Russia, denouncing Moscow's "criminal aggression" against his country and the "blocking" of the UN body.
"Most countries in the world recognise the truth about this war," he said, who was facing the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassili Nebenzia, seated in front of him.
At a briefing with the Belgian press, Minister Lahbib stressed the importance of establishing a broad coalition for future special international tribunal, so that its judgements would be recognised by the entire international community.
Lahbib will take part in a debate with a group of states on Thursday to discuss legal responsibility for the crimes of aggression committed against Ukraine.
