Ukraine's allies in the EU have approved the creation of a tribunal to try Russia's top leaders for the invasion. Kiev insists that Vladimir Putin himself be brought to justice, AFP reported.

EU foreign ministers gathered in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv in a symbolic gesture of support on the day Russia marks the end of World War II with a grand military parade in Moscow.

European efforts to set up the tribunal appear to have accelerated after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House to cozy up to Putin in an attempt to end the war, raising fears that Moscow could escape justice forever.

"There is no place for impunity. Russia's aggression cannot go unpunished, and that is why the creation of this tribunal is extremely important," said EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the abduction of Ukrainian children and four of his senior commanders for attacks on civilians.

However, the ICC does not have jurisdiction to prosecute Russia for the more important decision to launch the invasion.

The new tribunal is not expected to be able to try Putin while he is in office due to a principle of international law that grants immunity to presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers.

"This tribunal is being created to deliver appropriate sentences in the future," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.

He added that "Kyiv wants inevitable punishment for everyone, including the president of Russia, the prime minister of Russia and the foreign minister of Russia."

Earlier, Putin recalled the victory over Nazi Germany to rally the country around his three-year offensive at a grand military parade in Moscow in front of key allies, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

There are concerns in Ukraine that Russian officials could evade justice, especially since Trump began a rapprochement with Putin in hopes of ending the war.

Under former President Joe Biden, the United States was a key factor in advancing negotiations to establish the court.

Kallas expressed hope that Washington would "soon join" the initiative.

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset called for funding and concrete support so that the court could begin work now that it had received political backing.

"This is the moment for countries to continue to follow the political will they have shown today," Berset said. | BGNES