Andriy Kostin, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, discussed the outcomes of the partnership between the United States and Ukraine in seeking justice for the atrocities committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine. He also emphasized the significance of U.S. aid to Ukraine and proposed methods to hold Russia accountable for its aggressive actions, in an interview with VOA while in Washington.

Kostin emphasized collaborating with the U.S. Department of Justice to hold accountable those responsible for committing war crimes. “It’s not just Ukraine and the International Criminal Court taking action against war criminals, but also other countries,” Kostin stated, referencing the recent decision of the U.S. government to bring charges against four Russian soldiers for war crimes in Ukraine.

Kostin proposed seizing assets owned by Russia to provide compensation to those affected by Russian aggression using a mechanism established in The Hague.

The interview has been modified for easier understanding and shorter length.

What were your thoughts after meeting with legislators and colleagues from the Department of Justice during your time at Voice of America?

“In the realm of ensuring justice, we have received full support for all aspects of our system. Specifically, in December of last year, the United States became the first country to charge four individuals with war crimes for the torture of an American citizen in the Kherson region, which is currently occupied by Russia. This is incredibly significant because it demonstrates that not only Ukraine, but also other third-party countries, are actively holding war criminals accountable. We are currently working with over 20 countries to investigate and bring charges for war crimes committed by Russia on Ukrainian territory, and we expect more charges to be issued. The Prosecutor’s Office of Lithuania has already issued their first charges.”

The United States actively participates with 16 prosecutors from six different countries at Eurojust in The Hague to compile evidence for a special tribunal.

The supplemental spending package for Ukraine has not been adopted by the U.S. Congress. Does this affect your cooperation programs?

Kostin: This question is crucial in my interactions with members of Congress and the Senate. It is imperative that the assistance provided is consistent and ensures long-term support. Training investigators and prosecutors is particularly significant in regions where both Ukrainian and other international prosecutors lack experience. For instance, we are investigating crimes against the environment as war crimes, something that has not been done before by the International Criminal Court.

During my discussions with senators and congressmen, I emphasize the significance of not only bringing those responsible to justice, but also preventing such crimes from occurring. This entails providing weapons, long-range weapons, and air defense to safeguard civilians. If Russia proceeds with its actions, it will perpetrate similar offenses, not on our own soil, but on the territory of other nations.

We must communicate to our allies the importance of freeing our land quickly in order to minimize the number of victims of war crimes.

Which should be prioritized: peace or holding accountable?

Kostin: Even during the ongoing war, we are ensuring that [those responsible] are held accountable, and we are not the only ones pursuing criminal charges. To date, Ukrainian courts have issued 530 charges and 82 convictions. The International Criminal Court has also issued two rounds of arrest warrants. Our colleagues in the U.S. and Lithuania have taken action and I am confident there will be more charges brought this year. Therefore, it is crucial for us to not delay and fulfill our responsibilities now, rather than waiting for the war to conclude.

According to VOA, the United States is currently confiscating assets belonging to Russian oligarchs. In Europe, there is a growing urge to consider seizing Russian assets. However, in certain situations, the Western countries may be hesitant to take on the responsibility of confiscating these assets due to concerns about potential lawsuits.

Kostin believes that a decision will be made soon regarding the assets, which may either be seized or used as collateral to obtain money for the victims through international means, such as The Hague’s compensatory mechanism. This is significant as the registry of losses will begin receiving applications from victims in April, and the compensation commission will determine who will receive compensation, and how much. The compensation will come from funds obtained through the seizure of Russian assets.

VOA: The U.S. has joined the coalition to return forcibly deported Ukrainian children. What specific steps are expected here?

Kostin emphasized the significance of the United States’ participation in the initiative. The involvement of multiple countries with their own resources to locate missing children is beneficial. However, this task is not without challenges. Fortunately, our American counterparts are supporting us through a crucial project, the Conflict Observatory at Yale University, which aids in pinpointing the whereabouts of the children.

One concern is devising a plan to bring the children back to Ukraine. Appropriate actions, such as legal prosecution, must be taken to address these crimes. Additionally, international organizations, such as the U.N., should create documents condemning these crimes and urging the return of the children. This process is complex and we had hoped for a coalition to form sooner, but it is crucial that it has now come to fruition. Our ultimate objective is to reunite all Ukrainian children with their families.

Source: voanews.com