International lawyers are laying the groundwork for a special tribunal aimed at holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine.

Lawyer Jennifer Rankin, speaking to the Guardian UK, explained that these efforts are crucial for bringing Russia’s leaders to trial for their role in the invasion.

The European Union (EU) has hailed this initiative as a significant step toward justice.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for the crime of aggression, particularly for initiating the attack on Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to deny that Western sanctions are the cause of its rising inflation. The Russian government blames the high inflation on a weaker ruble and a poor harvest.

Since late 2024, inflation in Russia has been a growing issue, reaching 9.5% in early 2025. As Russia approaches the fourth year of what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, inflation remains a major economic challenge.