“Hunger for Justice”
44 states: Russia must pay for war damages
April 2, 2024, 10:05 p.m
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Representatives of 44 countries discuss options for prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine. One thing is clear: the aggressor Russia should pay for the damage. There is already a financing idea.
According to the wishes of 44 states, Russia must pay for war damage in Ukraine. At the same time, it should be prosecuted for the war of aggression. Russia must be held accountable, it said in a statement at the end of an international ministerial meeting in The Hague.
At the invitation of Ukraine and the Netherlands, ministers and representatives of the EU Commission and international judicial authorities discussed options for prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine. Representatives from non-European countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia also took part. An international tribunal to prosecute Russian aggression may be set up.
This is how the first register for war damage was put into operation. More than a hundred claims for damages have been received so far. “This is the first step towards full compensation,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot. Russia should pay for this. The confiscated Russian funds may be used.
120,000 suspected war crimes
In a video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the international community to join forces to prosecute Russian war crimes. The aggressors must be held accountable for their actions, said Zelensky. The message must be clear: “Justice is stronger than the Kremlin’s war.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke of the “hunger of the Ukrainian people for justice.” He recalled the massacre of civilians in the city of Bucha two years ago. This has become a symbol of Russian atrocities in Ukraine. “The entire world saw evil in the eye in Butscha.”
According to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, more than 120,000 suspected war crimes have been registered so far. 551 suspects have been identified so far, 374 have been charged and 104 have been legally convicted. But the investigations are difficult and looking for clues is often dangerous, said Kostin. “We need your support.” Criminal prosecution is of far-reaching importance. “Only justice can give people back their dignity,” said Kostin.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, spoke of an unprecedented partnership. “We must commit to speeding up the process,” Khan said. The World Criminal Court based in The Hague has already issued four international arrest warrants against high-ranking Russians, including President Vladimir Putin.