Leaders including Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at The Hague on Tuesday to launch an International Claims Commission to compensate Kyiv for hundreds of billions of dollars in damage from Russian attacks and alleged war crimes.
The one-day conference, co-hosted by the Netherlands and the 46-nation Council of Europe, gathered senior officials, including European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The gathering also coincided with ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel stressed the importance of reparations, stating, “Without accountability, a conflict cannot be fully resolved.
And part of that accountability is also paying damages that have been done.” He called the establishment of the claims commission a significant step forward.
The commission, based in the Netherlands, will oversee claims submitted by individuals, organisations, and public bodies in Ukraine.
It will assess and determine appropriate compensation for the damages caused by Russia’s military actions. While discussions are ongoing, it is anticipated that Russian assets frozen by the EU will help fund the reparations.
The commission is built upon the existing Register of Damage, which has already received over 80,000 claims, covering various damages such as destruction of property, human rights violations, and losses sustained by businesses. The commission will decide compensation on a case-by-case basis.
President Zelenskyy emphasised the need for Russia to face consequences for its actions. "It’s not enough to force Russia into a deal. It’s not enough to make it stop killing. We must make Russia accept that there are rules in the world," he said.
Despite Russia’s consistent denials of war crimes and threats of retaliation, the commission represents a significant step toward ensuring accountability.
However, the inclusion of wartime amnesty in any potential peace deal, previously suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, could complicate the reparations process.
More than 35 nations have already expressed support for the commission, with many expected to sign the convention at the meeting. Once ratified by 25 signatories and with sufficient funding secured, the commission will begin operations.
The World Bank has estimated that Ukraine will need $524 billion (447 billion euros) for post-war reconstruction over the next decade. This figure does not include damage caused by intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure this year.
Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe remains a key organisation in promoting human rights and the rule of law across the continent. Its new initiative to help Ukraine pursue reparations highlights the international community’s ongoing commitment to addressing the consequences of Russia’s invasion.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” say...
The public health challenge linked to the emergence of a rare strain of hantavirus is complex, according to pharmacist and health commentator ...
After years of limited engagement, relations between Syria and the European Union are drawing renewed diplomatic a...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (11 May) that the fragile ceasefire with Iran was “on life suppor...
The man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump during a Wh...
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” saying Tehran failed to commit to abandoning its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, while warning the fragile ceasefire was on “massive life support”.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (11 May) that the fragile ceasefire with Iran was “on life support” after he dismissed Tehran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal, raising fears the 10-week conflict could reignite and further disrupt global energy supplies.
Iran warned of an “immediate, intense, and powerful” response to any renewed Israeli or U.S. attack, as efforts to secure an interim peace deal appeared to stall despite fresh diplomatic contacts.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for talks on trade, infrastructure and preparations for Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan later this month.
Australia confirmed it will repatriate citizens from the MV Hondius cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with quarantine on arrival. Spain, France are evacuating nationals as three deaths are confirmed. In the U.S., two passengers have been isolated after testing positive for the virus.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” saying Tehran failed to commit to abandoning its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, while warning the fragile ceasefire was on “massive life support”.
President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to a US war proposal “totally unacceptable” after Tehran sent its reply through mediator Pakistan, according to IRNA. Qatar’s al-Thani also warned Iran against using the Strait of Hormuz as “a pressure tool”.
Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku has been elected the 142nd head of the Georgian Orthodox Church at a meeting of clergy in Tbilisi following the death of longtime Patriarch Ilia II.
A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire in its landing gear tyres after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday (11 May) morning, temporarily disrupting airport operations, officials said.
After years of limited engagement, relations between Syria and the European Union are drawing renewed diplomatic attention as both sides explore cooperation on migration, security and regional stability..
The man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House gala last month pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court on Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron opened France’s first-ever business summit in an English-speaking African nation on Monday (11 May), as Paris seeks to strengthen ties across the continent following a decline in influence in several former French colonies.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attempt a political fightback on Monday (11 May) with a speech promising closer ties with the European Union after Labour suffered heavy local election losses and growing calls for his resignation.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that three Polish nationals and two Moldovan citizens had been released from detention in Belarus and Russia, highlighting what he described as growing diplomatic cooperation with Minsk.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment