Europe backs new mechanism to compensate victims of Russian aggression: What it means for Ukraine
Photo: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Committee of Ministers of Europe has approved the preliminary adoption of the Convention on the Establishment of an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha.
"I welcome today’s decision of the Committee of Ministers provisionally adopting the Convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine," emphasized Sybiha.
He explained that this is the second, long-awaited element of the international mechanism for compensating victims of Russian aggression. This mechanism will allow claims from individuals, legal entities, and states to be considered and will be an important step toward compensating victims of aggression.
"We look forward to its adoption in The Hague on December 15–16 and call on all partners to join this historic effort to deliver justice and accountability. Compensation for victims is an essential element of a just and lasting peace — for Ukraine, Europe, and beyond," the minister added.
Ukraine’s Damage Registry
The International Registry of Damages caused by Russian aggression was established on May 17, 2023, during the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavík.
This marked the first stage in creating a global compensation mechanism for Ukraine. Forty countries joined the initiative, and an office of the Registry was opened in Kyiv.
In April 2024, applications began being accepted from citizens whose homes were destroyed during the war. Ukrainians can now submit claims to the International Damage Registry across 10 categories, with the number set to increase to 45 by the end of 2025.
Earlier reports noted that the Claims Commission for compensating Ukraine for damages from Russian aggression could begin functioning by the end of 2025. Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset even explained where the funds would come from.
