New Court for Russian Leaders

May 15, 2026, 19:46
AustraliaInternational

Introduction

Thirty-six countries want to start a special court in The Hague. This court will punish Russian leaders for starting the war in Ukraine.

Main Body

A group of ministers met and made a plan. They will pick judges and decide on the money for the court. This new court is necessary because the International Criminal Court cannot judge Russia for starting the war. The court wants to punish the top leaders. These are the president, the prime minister, and the foreign minister. It also wants to punish top military leaders. Many European countries and the EU agree with this plan. The EU will give 10 million euros. However, four EU countries did not agree. Some leaders cannot have a trial if they are still in power.

Conclusion

The court will start when the countries change their laws and find more money.

Learning

🚩 THE 'ACTION' LIST

Look at how we describe people doing things in this text. To reach A2, you need to connect a person to an action.

1. The Simple Pattern Person β†’\rightarrow Action β†’\rightarrow Thing

  • Countries β†’\rightarrow want β†’\rightarrow a court
  • Ministers β†’\rightarrow made β†’\rightarrow a plan
  • EU β†’\rightarrow will give β†’\rightarrow money

πŸ•’ NOW vs. LATER

Notice how the words change when we talk about the future (things that haven't happened yet).

Now/GeneralFuture (Coming Soon)
They pickThey will pick
The court startsThe court will start

Quick Tip: Just put "will" before the action to move it into the future. Simple!

πŸ“¦ USEFUL WORD GROUPS

Instead of learning one word, learn the 'job' group:

  • President β†’\rightarrow Top leader
  • Prime Minister β†’\rightarrow Top leader
  • Foreign Minister β†’\rightarrow Top leader
  • Judge β†’\rightarrow Court person

Vocabulary Learning

court
A place where legal cases are decided
Example:The court will hold the trial next week.
leaders
People who guide or direct others
Example:Leaders must act responsibly.
war
A serious fight between countries
Example:The war caused many problems.
ministers
Government officials who manage specific areas
Example:Ministers met to discuss the plan.
plan
A set of ideas to achieve something
Example:They created a plan for the new court.
judges
People who decide cases in a court
Example:Judges must be fair and impartial.
money
Currency used for buying goods and services
Example:The court needs money to operate.
international
Involving more than one country
Example:The international court will handle the case.
criminal
Related to crimes or wrongdoing
Example:The criminal court will try the leaders.
EU
European Union, a group of European countries
Example:The EU gave 10 million euros for the court.
euros
Currency used by many European countries
Example:They donated 10 million euros.
trial
A formal examination of evidence in court
Example:The leaders will face a trial.
power
Ability to control or influence
Example:Leaders in power cannot be easily punished.
laws
Rules made by governments
Example:Countries must change their laws for the court to start.