The developments surrounding the potential creation of a special tribunal to try Russia for the crime of aggression are significant. The EU’s announcement of this move reflects mounting international pressure to hold Russian political and military leaders accountable for the invasion of Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, pointed out that there is clear evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin played a key role in initiating the war. If the tribunal moves forward, it could set an important legal precedent for how aggression is prosecuted in international law.
On the economic front, Russia’s response to the high inflation rate and its claim that Western sanctions are not to blame raises some interesting points. The Russian government’s explanation that inflation is mainly due to a weaker rouble and lower harvests reflects the domestic challenges it is facing, but it may not fully address the broader impact of sanctions, which have targeted key sectors of the Russian economy. The high inflation rate, particularly as it spiked to 9.5% in 2024, is clearly a major issue for the Russian government, especially as it continues its military operations in Ukraine.
These developments are interconnected—Russia’s ongoing military actions and the economic fallout are fueling tensions on the global stage, while international legal efforts, such as the potential tribunal, aim to hold Russia accountable. The combination of military and economic challenges will likely continue to influence Russia’s political and international positioning in the coming months.
