The European Union has cautioned that any peace plan for Ukraine must not allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to evade accountability for alleged war crimes, setting a new red line for negotiations. Michael McGrath, the European commissioner for justice and democracy, told Politico on Monday that negotiators should ensure a ceasefire does not grant Russia impunity.
His remarks highlight European concerns over the original US proposal, which reportedly included a “full amnesty for actions committed during the war” and steps to reintegrate Russia into the global economy. McGrath stated, “I don’t think history will judge kindly any effort to wipe the slate clean for Russian crimes in Ukraine.”
Donald Trump’s team has pushed for a reset with Moscow, even as Russia faces accusations of crimes including the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children and attacks on civilians in Bucha, Mariupol, and other cities. McGrath warned that allowing impunity would “sow the seeds of the next round of aggression.”
Ukraine’s prosecutors have opened over 178,000 investigations into suspected Russian crimes since the invasion began. A UN commission reported in March that Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity through drone attacks and war crimes including forcible transfer and deportation.
In July, the European Court of Human Rights found Russia responsible for widespread violations in Ukraine, including murder, torture, rape, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. McGrath emphasised, “We cannot give up on the rights of the victims of Russian aggression.”
