"Putin Could Be Sentenced."
- 2.07.2025, 10:17
A political scientist assessed the risks for the Russian president.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset have signed an agreement on the creation of a special tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Political scientist Petr Oleshchuk said what concrete practical consequences this will have for the Russian leadership.
The special tribunal created by the agreement between Ukraine and PACE can deliver verdicts in absentia, unlike the International Criminal Court, he said.
"Yes, no one will bring Putin to The Hague in the near future, as well as other Russian high-ranking officials who made decisions on aggression against Ukraine, but now Putin can be sentenced. I emphasize, not just a suspicion, but a sentence," Oleshchuk said in a commentary to "Glavred".
The political scientist stressed that this sentence will be authorized by all European countries, and even Hungary.
"After all, this agreement was signed by PACE, it was voted for in PACE, that is, the created tribunal received authority from virtually all of Europe. Thus, Putin will have a sentence on the whole territory of Europe," he explained.
At the same time, from a practical point of view, it will not mean that Putin will go to prison, but there will be consequences for him and Russia. And the trial will affect not only Putin, but also other Russian officials who were members of the Russian Security Council and made the decision to launch armed aggression against Ukraine.
"So, firstly, the tribunal threatens not only Putin, and, secondly, personal immunity will not protect him. Prosecution in absentia by this tribunal is definitely allowed. However, as long as there is no verdict, it is unlikely that the creation of the special tribunal will fundamentally change anything for Putin and Russia, but already now it significantly reduces the likelihood that Putin will resume relations with Europe and make visits to European countries. For Putin, this means no normalization of relations with the Europeans for him, and that is for life. One way or another, but for Putin the creation of the special tribunal will be an additional argument to hold on to power in Russia until his death," Oleshchuk said.