On May 15, in Chisinau, Moldova, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) adopted a decision to establish a Steering Committee for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Georgia was not among the more than 30 countries that joined the initiative. Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili said that such a decision would create “additional risks” for the country. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, this is the third founding document of the special tribunal. Speaking at the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that it was a historic day and, like the Nuremberg Tribunal 80 years ago, the special tribunal in The Hague would restore justice from the ruins of war.

When asked by journalists why they did not support the initiative, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, who was also in Chisinau, said:

“The attitude of some member states, including the EU member states, towards Georgia certainly does not give us the opportunity and luxury to make decisions that will create additional risks and threats for our country and may expose Georgia to increased risks or challenges.” 

She also added:

“The attitude that we see today from a number of member states really needs to be reconsidered. There needs to be clarity about the attitude towards Georgia and its positions, because we have a very big responsibility before our society, first of all, in terms of maintaining security, peace and stability in the country.”