Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a deal Friday to secure compensation for countries that “suffered from Russia’s actions.”
Why it matters: Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova told the U.S. Helsinki Commission earlier this month that Russia has committed nearly 10,000 war crimes over the course of the war. A compensation deal would show aggressors that they will be held accountable for their actions at the international level, Zelensky said.
What he’s saying: “We invite the partner countries to sign a multilateral agreement and create a mechanism through which each and every one who has suffered from Russia’s actions will be able to receive compensation for all losses,” he said in a Telegram post.
- “Under such an agreement, Russian funds and property under the jurisdiction of partner countries must be seized or frozen, and then confiscated and directed to a specially created fund from which all victims of Russian aggression can receive appropriate compensation.”
- “That would be fair,” he said. “And Russia will feel the true weight of every missile, every bomb, every projectile it has fired at us.”
The big picture: G7 countries have said they will provide nearly $20 billion in financial aid for Ukraine.
- Earlier this month, Lithuania became the first country to designate Russia as a terrorist country after recognizing its actions in Ukraine as genocide.
- A soldier accused of killing a civilian will be the first Russian service member to stand trial on war crimes charges since the start of the unprovoked war.
Source: axios.com