Von der Leenen: Russia must take responsibility for crimes in Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen says Russia must take responsibility for the war launched in Ukraine. Speaking at a recent conference in Brussels, Von der Leeyen stressed the need for a court that would try Russia's aggression crimes in Ukraine.

Russia's “Aggression has caused untold suffering in Ukraine. Almost a year ago, the world discovered the horrors in Bucha City. I was there and saw the atrocities committed by the Russian forces. There is increasing evidence of direct attacks on civilians, as well as attacks that hit energy infrastructure. Torture, mistreatment, sexual violence, and execution have been carried out by Russian forces. Neither are children spared. Russia must take responsibility for these terrible crimes, and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be held accountable. We must do everything in our power to bring the authors to justice. The European Union is a supporter of the role of the International Criminal Court. We also believe there must be a special court to prosecute Russians who have committed crimes. The European Union will continue to work with our partners to ensure that Russia pays”, said Mrs. Von der Leyeen.

To show that support for Ukraine will continue until necessary, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also held a meeting in Lviv with President Zelensky.

Meanwhile Friday, Mr. Zelensky met with the U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and senior European officials, while calling for Russia to be convicted of war crimes.

The town of Bakhmut is now at the centre of fighting, while Russian troops, including major forces from the private group “Wagner”, want to take over at any cost.

The Institute for War Research, an American institute, said Ukrainian forces seemed to be preparing for a withdrawal controlled by at least parts of the city of Bakhmut.

British military discovery in the daily report also reports that Ukrainian forces protecting the city of Bakhmut are facing ever stronger pressure from Russian forces as intense fighting is under way around the eastern city.

Two key bridges in Bakhmut have been destroyed within the last 36 hours, while city supply routes controlled by Ukraine are increasingly limited.

Ukraine's military command said Russia was still trying to surround the city, but added that during the past day Ukrainian forces had overcome Russian attacks.

The battle for the city of Bakhmut has lasted for seven months. If the Russian forces were to take control of the city, which before the war had a population of 70 thousand, it would be a big victory for Moscow in the winter offensive, as the Kremlin called into active military service hundreds of thousands of militias. / VOA