In The Hague, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a diplomatic conference during which the Convention on the establishment of an International Compensation Commission for Ukraine was signed.
The Head of State thanked partners for their support of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
“Today—and this year—things are being created for Ukraine that should have begun long ago, at least back in 2014. But in fact, considering how many wars Russia has started or supported, this should have happened even earlier,” the President of Ukraine said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for maintaining pressure on Russia as long as the occupation of Ukrainian land continues. According to the Head of State, Russia must feel that it is a criminal and face consequences for this while Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity and Ukrainian children abducted by Russia have not returned home.
“We expect that all compensation mechanisms—from the Damage Register and the Compensation Commission to the actual disbursement of payments—will begin operating and receive strong and sufficient international support so that people can truly feel that any damage caused by the war can be compensated,” the President emphasized.
Dick Schoof stressed that without justice there can be no fair and lasting peace.
“We are sending a very clear message today here in The Hague. Once peace is achieved, justice must begin. And when the war ends, Ukraine can continue to count on the Netherlands and on all other partners,” the Prime Minister said.
On behalf of Ukraine, the convention was signed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
“This is a unique, independent international document that should be central when we talk about reparations during peace negotiations. Today in The Hague, 35 states will sign the convention establishing the International Commission. This is an unprecedented case for such a commission on the very first day of its work,” emphasized Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset.
President of Moldova Maia Sandu called for continued support for Ukraine and stressed that pressure on Russia matters.
“This commission matters. It matters for the people—for those who lost their loved ones, for those whose homes were destroyed, and whose lives were changed forever,” she concluded.
