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The President at the Bucha Summit: We need to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression

President of the Republic of Lithuania

April 01, 2023

On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda participated in a virtual Bucha Summit. On the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from the Russian invaders, Ukraine hosted a forum of the European and world leaders and heads of international organizations on the issue of ensuring accountability for the grave crimes against international law committed and still being committed in Ukraine.

"One year ago, news about the tragic events in Bucha, Irpin, and other towns around Kyiv came out as a great shock. None of us, I believe, could have thought about such atrocities happening on European soil once again. And yet we were forced to witness the results of those four weeks of terror, bloodshed, and destruction," Gitanas Nausėda spoke.

The Head of State underlined that brutal violence brought untold suffering to people, that many scars would never heal, and that those who survived, as well as those who perished, deserved to see justice done.

"It is our duty to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators, as well as responsible officials and military leaders, to justice. Therefore, Lithuania fully supports the investigation launched by the International Criminal Court's Prosecutor," President Gitanas Nausėda stressed.

The President also pointed out that the International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant against Putin was a clear signal that no one - no one - was beyond the reach of justice, and there would be no impunity. "Having in mind that the deportation of children is only one of Russia's many criminal actions in Ukraine, the international community needs to make another crucial step. To ensure that there is full accountability, we need the legal assessment of the crime of aggression against Ukraine. I therefore call on everyone to support the establishment of a Special International Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. I have no doubt that Russian leaders and their accomplices in this war will be held accountable," Gitanas Nausėda said.

The Bucha Summit was attended by more than 50 heads of state and international organizations. The forum participants adopted the Bucha Summit Declaration.