Conference Paves the Way for Victims of Ukraine’s War to Seek Compensation

Ministers and officials from numerous nations convened in the Netherlands on Tuesday for a conference aimed at restoring justice in Ukraine amid the ongoing war ignited by Russia’s invasion, now entering its third year of devastation.

The opening of a register for Ukrainians seeking compensation for damages to their homes due to Russia’s invasion saw an overwhelming response, with over 100 claims submitted on the inaugural day.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the high demand for compensation claims as indicative of people’s thirst for justice amid the conflict. However, the applications received on Tuesday are just a fraction of what is anticipated, with the Council of Europe estimating between 300,000 and 600,000 claims.

The Hague-based Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, also known as RD4U, aims to facilitate additional claims soon, including those pertaining to damage or destruction of critical Ukrainian infrastructure.

While the register itself does not disburse payments, it serves as a crucial initial step toward establishing an international compensation mechanism that remains in the works.

In a video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on conference delegates to persist in their efforts to combat impunity for war crimes, emphasizing the need to bolster common security and thwart aggressions and terror.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot underscored the imperative to support Ukraine, warning that failure to do so could lead to the collapse of the country’s justice system under the weight of the atrocities inflicted by Russian attacks.

In a concluding declaration, 44 countries, including major powers like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France, pledged to work toward establishing a special tribunal for investigating and prosecuting crimes of aggression against Ukraine, potentially holding Russian leaders accountable.

The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials, citing personal responsibility for abductions of children from Ukraine and attacks on critical infrastructure.