Seimas has ratified the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine

Press release, 4 June 2026 (News ● Photos● Broadcasts and videos )

The Seimas has ratified the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. A total of 98 Members of the Seimas voted unanimously in favour of the relevant law (draft No XVP-1421(2).

The Convention was signed in The Hague at a diplomatic conference on 16 December 2025. Lithuania was represented at the signing by Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Final Act of the Diplomatic Conference stresses that Russia must bear all the legal consequences arising from its unlawful actions, including the reparation for the damage caused.

Remigijus Motuzas, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted that this is an important and timely decision that reinforces the principles of international law and the value-based stance of the Lithuanian state. ‘The Commission to be established will become an essential part of the international compensation mechanism. It will take over the functions of the existing Register of Damage for Ukraine and will begin examining claims for damage caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine. It is a very concrete instrument through which the international community seeks not only to condemn aggression, but also to ensure that responsibility goes beyond declaratory statements. By ratifying this Convention, we also reaffirm our solidarity with Ukraine. […] We are contributing to an international framework that will secure accountability for these crimes,’ Motuzas stressed.

The Commission will be a new administrative authority responsible for reviewing, assessing, and deciding on claims for damage resulting from Russia’s unlawful actions in or against Ukraine under international law. Where appropriate, it will determine the amount of compensation to be awarded in each case.

The Convention also set outs the powers and functions, legal personality, and organisational structure of the Commission, the procedure for examining claims, the transfer of the Register to the Commission, and other related matters.

Under the Convention, Commission will have its seat in the territory of one of the State Parties to the Convention and an office in Ukraine.

The Convention will enter into force once it has been ratified by 25 interested parties.

Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 209 6132, e-mail: [email protected]