European and Ukrainian leaders gathered in The Hague on Tuesday to launch an International Claims Commission aimed at compensating Kyiv for damages from Russia’s invasion.

The International Claims Commission, based in the Netherlands, will assess and decide on claims submitted to the Register of Damage, which has already received over 80,000 claims from individuals, organisations, and public bodies in Ukraine.

The commission is part of a broader international effort to provide reparations for victims of war crimes, including property destruction, civilian injuries, and abuses such as sexual violence and child deportations.

European and global support

Dozens of senior figures from Europe and beyond attended the one-day conference co-hosted by the Netherlands and the Council of Europe, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Over 35 nations have already expressed support for the commission, which will formally operate once 25 signatories ratify the Council of Europe convention and sufficient funds are secured.

Financing and compensation

The commission will review claims and determine awards on a case-by-case basis. Early discussions suggest potential funding could come from frozen Russian assets, supplemented by contributions from member states.

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel emphasised that reparations are key to accountability, stating, “Without accountability, a conflict cannot be fully resolved.”

The World Bank estimates $524 billion will be required for Ukraine’s reconstruction in the coming decade, a figure excluding damages from ongoing attacks this year.

President Zelenskiy highlighted the importance of enforcing international rules, saying, “It’s not enough to force Russia into a deal… we must make Russia accept that there are rules in the world.”

However, potential complications could arise if any peace deal includes amnesty for wartime atrocities, as previously proposed by the U.S. administration.