Slovakia made an important step: the government approved the signing of the Convention on the establishment of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine (International Claims Commission for Ukraine). This means that an independent body will appear to consider claims for compensation for damage caused by the Russian invasion.
What is this Commission and how will it work?
The International Claims Commission for Ukraine (International Claims Commission for Ukraine) is an independent body that will operate within the Council of Europe and will have its headquarters in The Hague. Its mandate will include reviewing claims, assessing evidence, and determining the amount of compensation in each specific case. Compensation will concern destroyed infrastructure, civilian objects, industry, real estate, and more. Claims can be submitted by the state as well as by individuals and legal entities. The Commission's decisions will be final and not subject to appeal, although it will not have enforcement powers through courts.
This Commission is the second step in creating a comprehensive compensation mechanism. The first step was the Register of Damage for Ukraine (Register of Damage for Ukraine), which began operating in April 2024 and collects claims for damage caused. After the full launch of the Commission, the Register will be transferred under its management.
Slovakia's position and Russia's reaction
The Slovak government approved the signing of the Convention at an off-site meeting in Nitra on September 2, 2026. This decision was made despite previous hesitations and, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico, "displeasure" from Russia. The opposition, including the party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), accused the government of withdrawing its signature in July 2026 due to threats from Russia, which would have considered this step "hostile."
Robert Fico acknowledged that the Russian side expressed its dissatisfaction with the Convention but rejected the "opposition hysteria," emphasizing that it is "completely normal" for states to express disagreement. He stressed that the creation of the Commission is an initiative of the Council of Europe, and although its decisions are not mandatory for enforcement, it is a strong political gesture.
For the Convention to enter into force, it must be ratified by 25 states or regional integration organizations and have sufficient financial support for initial operations. As of August 20, 2026, 40 parties have signed the Convention, and 7 states and the European Union have ratified it. Ukraine ratified the Convention on April 30, 2026.
What next?
Slovakia's signing of the Convention is an important step toward creating an effective damage compensation mechanism. However, for its full operation, ratification by the majority of signatory countries is required. After that, Ukrainians affected by the war will be able to submit their claims for compensation.
Source: teraz.sk
