At its off-site meeting in Nitra on Wednesday, the government approved the signing of the convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The convention establishes an independent body that will decide on claims for compensation for damage caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFA) recalled that the convention establishing the Claims Commission was adopted on December 16, 2025, at a diplomatic conference in The Hague held under the auspices of the Council of Europe. In its explanatory report, the ministry further explained that the commission’s mandate will include assessing claims, including reviewing evidence and determining the extent of damage in individual cases.
“Compensation will concern mainly destroyed infrastructure, civil amenities, industry, real estate, etc. Claims may be submitted both by states and by natural and legal persons,” the ministry said.
The decisions of the commission, which will be based in The Hague, will be final and not subject to appeal. However, the commission will not enforce its decisions through the courts.
So far, the convention has been signed by 38 Council of Europe member states, the European Union and Canada. In addition, seven Council of Europe member states have already ratified the convention.
The convention will enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after 25 ratifications have been reached. At the same time, the combined contributions of these states must amount to at least 50% of the total 2025 budget of the so-called Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. This represents €3,692,150.
Under Slovak law, the convention establishing the Claims Commission is an international treaty requiring presidential approval, and the consent of the National Council of the Slovak Republic is required before it can be ratified.
Source: TASR
