International crimes in the practice of Ukrainian courts: NSJU and EUAM agree on educational initiatives

On 30 June 2026, the Acting Rector of the National School of Judges of Ukraine,  Nataliia Shuklina, together with a team of experts, held a meeting with representatives of the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine, represented by the Senior Adviser on the Prosecution of International Crimes, Dariusz Sielicki, a former judge of the Wrocław Regional Court and former international judge of the Supreme Court of Kosovo, as well as legal expert Oleksandr Ishchenko.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed the educational initiatives already implemented and identified further areas of cooperation within the component dedicated to international crimes. In particular, they discussed the continuation of the ‘War Crimes Cases Lab Project’, under which a series of specialised seminars has already been held for criminal judges hearing cases involving international crimes.

The participants paid particular attention to the organisation of new training events for judges, scheduled for 2026. In particular, they discussed the delivery of training courses with a strengthened psychological component for judges hearing cases relating to the consequences of armed aggression and crimes committed against victims.

In addition, the parties outlined further areas of cooperation, including the organisation of training events for trainers at the National School of Judges of Ukraine and the development of the functional capabilities of the National School of Judges of Ukraine’s official website to support the modern educational process.

The participants in the meeting reaffirmed their mutual interest in continuing the partnership, aimed at enhancing the professional capacity of Ukrainian judges in the field of adjudicating international crimes and implementing best European practices in judicial education.