VILNIUS (Reuters) – Lithuania’s parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to explain Russia’s actions in Ukraine as “genocide” and “terrorism” and to name for a worldwide tribunal, modelled on the Nuremberg Trials after World Conflict Two, to prosecute suspected battle crimes.

The movement, co-sponsored by Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, stated Russian forces’ battle crimes in Ukraine included the deliberate killing of civilians, mass rape, forcible relocation of Ukrainian residents to Russia and the destruction of financial infrastructure and cultural websites.

Moscow denies focusing on civilians and calls its invasion, launched on Feb. 24, a “particular navy operation” to disarm Ukraine and rid it of what it calls anti-Russian nationalists. Ukraine and the West say it is a false pretext for waging an unprovoked battle of aggression.

“The Russian Federation, whose navy forces intentionally and systematically choose civilian targets for bombing, is a state that helps and perpetrates terrorism,” the Lithuanian parliamentary movement stated.

Lithuania’s transfer follows the same unanimous vote by Canadian lawmakers on April 27 to name Russia’s assaults in Ukraine a “genocide”.

Lithuania, which was as soon as dominated from Moscow however is now a part of the European Union and NATO, has been among the many most outspoken critics of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Vilnius expelled the Russian ambassador final month after Ukraine accused Russian forces of killing civilians within the city of Bucha, close to the capital Kyiv.

U.S. President Joe Biden stated in April he believed the invasion of Ukraine amounted to genocide, including: “We’ll let the attorneys resolve internationally whether or not or not it qualifies, however it certain appears that technique to me.”