Estonian formin at UN: Putin must face international tribunal

TALLINN – Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said in a speech made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin must face an international tribunal.

The session of the UN General Assembly is dedicated to the tragic anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine, spokespeople for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The session continues on Thursday and the resolution on the principles of a just peace will be voted on.

Reinsalu said that, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. At the same time, by attacking the sovereign Ukraine, Russia has trampled on international law and the UN Charter and endangered the existing security architecture.

"I call on countries worldwide to recognize Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as a genocide and do everything to end it. In order to win, Ukraine foremost needs military assistance. So far, Estonia has provided military support to Ukraine in the extent of 370 million euros, which is more than one percent of our GDP," the minister said.

Reinsalu stressed that it is the duty and responsibility of the international community to completely discredit aggression as an instrument of international relations and hold Russia responsible for all crimes committed in Ukraine.

"This also means putting Putin on trial for the crime of aggression and for that a special international tribunal must be created," the minister said.

At the General Assembly, Reinsalu expressed his support for the peace plan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and confirmed that only Ukraine can determine the terms of peace.

"I call on all UN member states to support the General Assembly's resolution on the principles of a just peace. Our task is to firmly support Ukraine and take steps together to implement the peace plan presented by Ukraine," he said.

The minister also recognized the bravery of the Ukrainian people and emphasized that Ukraine is fighting not only for its freedom, but for the values that are important to all of us, the rules-based world order and the principles of the UN Charter.