Europe Initiates International Claims Commission for Ukraine
THE HAGUE: On Tuesday, European leaders gathered in The Hague to launch an International Claims Commission aimed at ensuring that Ukraine receives compensation for the immense damage caused by Russian attacks and alleged war crimes. This initiative comes as part of a broader diplomatic effort, led by the United States, to find a resolution to the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was present during the meeting, where 34 European leaders signed a convention to officially kickstart the commission. “Every Russian war crime must have consequences,” he emphasized. He added that true peace cannot be achieved merely by forcing Russia into a deal or stopping the violence; it is essential for Russia to acknowledge and adhere to global rules.
While the establishment of the claims commission is a significant step, it does not guarantee quick reparations for those affected. Specifics on how compensation will be disbursed are still being discussed. Initial talks have suggested that the commission might fund reparations using Russian assets currently frozen by the EU, along with contributions from its member states. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel noted, “The goal is to ensure that legitimate claims are compensated, and ultimately, it will be Russia that has to pay these damages.”
The commission will also incorporate the two-year-old Register of Damage that has already collected over 86,000 claims from individuals, organizations, and public entities in Ukraine, covering a broad array of issues.
Russian officials have not commented on this commission. The Kremlin continues to reject accusations of war crimes, labeling the EU’s proposal to utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s financial support as illegal and threatening retaliation.
Compensation for victims of various abuses, including sexual violence and child deportations, poses a challenge, particularly if an amnesty for wartime atrocities is included in any potential peace agreement, a concept earlier proposed during Donald Trump’s administration.
More than 50 countries and the EU collaborated to draft the convention to establish the commission, which will take effect once it is ratified by at least 25 signatories and sufficient funding is secured.
This commission is an essential element of an international mechanism for Ukraine, responsible for reviewing and deciding on claims submitted to the Register of Damage, which was set up by the Council of Europe earlier this year. Claims can be made for damages, losses, or injuries resulting from Russian actions after the February 24, 2022 invasion, affecting individuals, businesses, or the Ukrainian state.
