Accountability for International Crimes and Other Gross Human Rights Violations in the Peace Negotiations Between Ukraine and Russia and the Potential Future Peace Agreement
Keywords:
accountability, international crimes, peace agreement, peace process, international criminal law, amnesties, reparationsAbstract
This article addresses several key issues related to the place of the issues of accountability for international crimes and grave human rights abuses in the peace negotiations and the potential 'peace agreement' between Ukraine and Russia. Following an overview of the Russian political demands raised so far (as of July 2025) and layers of the ongoing accountability process, the article analyses how the nature of the potential "peace deal" (including concerns about its voidance) may impact provisions on the accountability questions. It further outlines the core of the fundamental international law principle of non-interference into domestic affairs of another state (including criminal justice policies). The article also examines Ukraine's international obligations to prosecute certain types of conduct amounting to international crimes in any circumstances, (im-)permissibility of amnesties, potential impact on the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction, and the withdrawal of reparations claims for the most serious violations of international law, including international crimes.
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