Council of Europe creates register of damage caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. Ukraine reacts

This is reported in a statement on the Council of Europe website.

43 countries and the European Union have joined or declared their intention to join the register created by the participants of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, which took place in Reykjavik on May 16-17.

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović-Burić said that "the decision to create a register of damages under the auspices of the Council of Europe is a historic decision." 

According to her, "it will support victims in recording their losses and is vital for any compensation mechanism. Supported by a very large coalition of member and non-member states, and by the EU, it is one of the first legally binding decisions to hold Russia accountable for its acts"

The Register of Damage from Russian Aggression was created for an initial period of three years, it will operate in the Netherlands, and a satellite office will be located in Ukraine.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal thanked the Council of Europe and all member states that supported this decision.

"The Register is an important milestone on the road to justice and reparations for Ukraine and the Ukrainians who have suffered so much from this war. The hard work begins now - we need to ensure that the Register becomes operational soon, so that victims of Russian aggression could submit their claims," he said.

"We also emphasize that the establishment of the Register is only the first step towards the establishment of a comprehensive compensation mechanism that will ensure that Russia pays full reparations to Ukraine in accordance with international law, including by means of its internationally located assets. We look forward to working with our partners on this important issue," the Prime Minister added. 

During a speech at the opening of the Council of Europe summit, the French President announced the creation of "an international register of damages caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine." Macron emphasized that the Council of Europe is once again leading the way for the victims of aggression and called on all states to actively participate in the registry's development.

Macron also urged the Council of Europe to facilitate the establishment of one hundred psychological centers to support victims of Russian aggression, under the Council of Europe Development Bank's auspices.

The Netherlands will host the register of damages from Russian aggression, which will record evidence of damages, claims for damages or injuries. The register will be accessible to individuals, legal entities, and the Ukrainian state, including regional and local authorities and state-controlled enterprises.

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has explained that the damage register will be an essential part of the compensation mechanism for damages caused by the Russian Federation's aggression on Ukraine's territory. It will have elements at both the international and national levels in the interested states.

• During the Council of Europe summit, President Zelenskyy called for fighter jets to be added to Ukraine's air defense system. 

• Four countries, including Great Britain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, agreed to create an international coalition of fighter jets for Ukraine, which involves training Ukrainian pilots and purchasing fighter jets and ammunition.