The British-French international law expert and writer, Philippe Sands, is calling for a comprehensive judicial reckoning regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to the weekly magazine “Die Zeit”, Sands stressed that peace in Ukraine must encompass more than simply ending the fighting and bombardments; it must also involve upholding Ukrainian sovereignty and addressing crimes committed against civilians. He argued, “Without law and justice, there can be no lasting peace.” This principle must apply even to atrocities like those in Bucha, necessitating the secured establishment of facts and accountability to initiate a process of reconciliation. While a single criminal court cannot achieve peace, he noted that such a tribunal symbolizes the rule of law and demonstrates that justice is attainable.
Sands, who is scheduled to receive the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade next week in the Paulskirche in Frankfurt, also referenced the planned establishment of an international special tribunal to penalize the Russian military aggression. According to him, the EU and several other states agreed on the formation of such a tribunal in Lviv in May 2025.
The 65-year-old jurist also views this development as a direct follow-up to his research into the origins of modern international law, conducted in a city in western Ukraine. Sands stated that the war in Ukraine is currently being waged solely “to save the honor of the man who started it: Putin.” He concluded by asserting that “peace fails because of fragile male ego.”
