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Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026

Correspondence from the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories relating to the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, dated 29 April 2026

From: Foreign Affairs Committee

Summary

Minister Stephen Doughty updates the Foreign Affairs Committee on UK progress toward joining the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) text has been agreed; the UK has formally notified the Council of Europe of its intention to join and anticipates adoption at the May 14–15 Ministers Meeting in Chisinau. Entry into force awaits further negotiation on membership thresholds, budgetary parameters, and financial safeguards. The UK, as one of four major funders within the Council of Europe, has shaped the Tribunal's financial sustainability and credibility.

Key findings

  • The EPA text establishing the Special Tribunal's operating model has been agreed following UK-led negotiations as one of four Grands Payeurs within the Council of Europe.
  • The UK has formally notified the Council of Europe of its intention to join the EPA; adoption is expected at the Ministers Meeting on 14–15 May 2026 in Chisinau.
  • Entry into force is conditional on further negotiations to establish membership thresholds, budgetary parameters, and financial safeguards; Whitehall departments will be consulted before UK agreement.
  • UK membership will create binding commitments to fund and manage the Tribunal operationally, and a political commitment to consider other cooperation forms, likely requiring future primary legislation.
  • The Minister intends to update Parliament with further detail ahead of formal EPA adoption following the State Opening of Parliament on 13 May.

Tone

Factual

Topics

international-justiceukraineuk-foreign-policycouncil-of-europe

Key actors

Stephen Doughty MP, Dame Emily Thornberry MP, Ukraine, Council of Europe, Italy, France, Germany

Notable line

“Supporting the Tribunal remains a Government manifesto commitment and as work progresses, I will continue to update Parliament.”

Key Quotes

“Supporting the Tribunal remains a Government manifesto commitment and as work progresses, I will continue to update Parliament.”
— Stephen Doughty MP · Opening statement of commitment to the Special Tribunal
“As one of four Grands Payeurs (GPs) within the Council of Europe (alongside Italy, France and Germany), the UK has played a key role in negotiations to ensure that the Special Tribunal is both financially sustainable and credible.”
— Stephen Doughty MP · Describing the UK's role in establishing the Tribunal
“In joining the Special Tribunal's EPA, the UK would have binding commitments towards funding and management of the Special Tribunal when it does become operational, and would be making a political commitment to consider other forms of cooperation.”
— Stephen Doughty MP · Outlining the nature and extent of UK obligations
“It's lik ely that cooperation agreements will require primary legislation to enable that cooperation in the future.”
— Stephen Doughty MP · Signalling future legislative requirements
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗