PACE called for the use of Russia's frozen assets to provide compensation to Ukraine

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called on member states and observer countries to take measures to use frozen Russian state assets to pay compensation to Ukraine and Ukrainian victims.

PACE noted that Russia owes more than €3.3 billion in unpaid compensation awarded by the European Court of Human Rights. At the same time, Moscow continues to refuse to comply with ECHR rulings and to cooperate with the Council of Europe’s monitoring mechanisms.

The Assembly also called for ensuring the enforceability of ECHR rulings at the national level and establishing appropriate legal mechanisms for payments.

Separately, PACE recommended that the EU and member states impose targeted sanctions against individuals involved in the most serious human rights violations documented in ECHR rulings.

The Assembly also called on states to preserve case files against Russia, protect the personal data of illegally deported Ukrainian children, and provide complete information about them through the appropriate international mechanism.

As a reminder, Belgium categorically refused to transfer Russia’s frozen assets to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga expressed his gratitude to the foreign ministers of Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain for their joint initiative. This refers to a letter to the European Commission calling for the use of frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine.