The European Union is taking significant strides beyond mere sanctions and political statements by establishing a legal framework to compensate victims of the conflict in Ukraine. By signing the Convention for the establishment of the International Compensation Commission, the EU aims to turn the commitment to hold Russia accountable into a concrete legal process with lasting implications.
On December 16, 2025, in The Hague, the European Commission officially signed the Convention to create the International Compensation Commission for Ukraine. This new legal mechanism is designed to assess and provide compensation for damages inflicted by Russia during the aggressive war against Ukraine. The signing ceremony took place during a diplomatic conference organized by the Council of Europe and the Dutch government, with the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The newly formed commission will operate under the auspices of the Council of Europe and will have the authority to evaluate claims for compensation submitted by individuals, businesses, and the Ukrainian state. This includes claims for material loss, injuries, and destruction caused by the war. The commission will determine the eligibility of these claims as well as the compensation amounts owed in each case, representing a crucial step between documenting the damages and actual payment of compensation.
The International Compensation Commission is built upon the Damage Register for Ukraine, established in 2023, which serves as an official database for recording losses. European authorities report that over 70,000 claims have already been registered, covering a range of damages including the destruction of housing, civil infrastructure, private property, and economic losses.
The signing of the Convention signals a pivotal shift in the European approach. While previous efforts concentrated on economic sanctions and financial aid for Ukraine, this new initiative focuses on legal and financial accountability for the aggressor. However, the European Commission emphasizes that the process will be gradual and protracted, meaning that the establishment of the commission does not equate to immediate compensation disbursements.
The next essential phase involves the ratification of the Convention by the EU and its member states. In parallel, the Commission is consulting with international partners about potential legal avenues for creating a compensation fund to facilitate the actual payment of damages. A critical question remains regarding the source of these funds, which could potentially include the use of frozen Russian assets.
Separately from the compensation mechanism, the EU and its partners are also working on establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression, aimed at prosecuting Russian political and military leaders. These two initiatives are designed to be complementary: one focusing on criminal accountability while the other addresses the financial compensation of victims.
Through these efforts, the EU seeks to develop a sustainable legal framework for post-conflict justice in Ukraine. Although tangible results will depend on ratifications, political decisions, and complex legal solutions, the signing of the Convention positions the EU at the forefront of shaping Europe’s response to the legal consequences of the war. This initiative could pave the way for a more structured approach to justice and accountability for the atrocities witnessed during the conflict, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law in the region.
