The European Commission has proposed that the European Union become a founding member of the International Claims Commission, tasked with compensating victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine. This initiative is now pending approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.
Once finalized, the EU will join the commission, which operates under the Council of Europe. The commission’s responsibilities include reviewing and assessing claims for damages caused by Russian aggression, as well as determining the compensation amounts for each case.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, emphasized the ongoing toll of the conflict, which has now entered its fifth year. She noted that the costs associated with Russian aggression continue to rise.
“When you start a war, you pay the bills. Hundreds of billions will be needed to rebuild Ukrainian homes and infrastructure, as well as to clear unexploded ordnance scattered across the country. Every Ukrainian citizen can already file claims for damages, losses, or injuries through the Claims Commission. When the war ends, Russia will have to compensate for the harm it has caused,” she stated.
The EU Commissioner for Democracy and Rule of Law reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and ensuring justice for its citizens.
“The International Claims Commission will document the true cost of Russian aggression and ensure fair compensation is determined,” he added.
In December 2025, the European Union signed a convention to establish the Claims Commission alongside 35 other countries, pledging up to 1 million euros to support its formation within the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe has already set up the Claims Commission to address damages inflicted by Russian aggression.
Currently, a temporary refugee status for Ukrainians in EU countries is in effect until March 4, 2027, benefiting over 4.3 million individuals.
Details on the Damage Registry
On November 8, 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament approved a bill to establish a Damage Registry aimed at protecting the rights and interests of Ukraine and its citizens. This legislation allows for the documentation of damages incurred due to the war and facilitates the creation of compensation mechanisms.
On March 22, 2024, an office for the Damage Registry was opened in Kyiv, staffed by approximately ten individuals, including lawyers and communication specialists. They are set to begin accepting compensation claims shortly. Markiyan Klyuchkovskyi, the executive director of the Damage Registry, indicated that the office will initially focus on claims related to destroyed housing.
By April 2 of that year, the registry became operational within the “Diia” app, allowing Ukrainians to submit claims for destroyed or damaged properties, including private homes, apartments, and summer houses. Claimants must be property owners and possess a local government inspection report.
The Damage Registry will accept claims across more than 40 categories, including fatalities, torture, sexual violence, injuries, forced displacement, loss of property and income, damage to critical infrastructure, and harm to historical and cultural heritage.
The European Commission has proposed that the EU join the International Claims Commission to compensate victims of the war in Ukraine. This initiative aims to address the extensive damages caused by Russian aggression, with a focus on establishing fair compensation mechanisms for affected individuals.