Russia has promised to ensure that he will return to The Hague after his treatment if the request is granted.
Presiding Judge Patrick Robinson offered his reassurance that the matter would be resolved soon in response to an enquiry by Milosevic during a trial hearing on January 25. Judge Robinson explained that the chamber had in its possession all the material necessary in order to consider the matter fully.
Prosecutors, who have opposed the request from the start, had formally indicated their intention to respond in writing to the guarantees offered by Moscow. Since no such submission has been made public in the meantime, Judge Robinson's statement appears to suggest this response has been filed confidentially.