This paper aims to demonstrate how EU Defence and Security reflects International Criminal Law (hereafter ICL). Said link is analysed through the notion of transitional justice, lending itself to the concept of universal jurisdiction. Analysing the latter contributes to highlighting the concrete workings of ICL on a global scale, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the security and defence considerations in question. In fact, this paper assesses that it is beneficial for EU Member States to consider undertaking universal jurisdiction within the ambit of their security and defence policies, as such action positively contributes to EU diplomatic relations, contrary to what is commonly believed. Such a finding thus justifies the final observation that EU States should consider exercising universal jurisdiction as part of their defence and security strategies, thereby bolstering the importance of accountability as a global value.