Speech by Minister Veldkamp at the virtual conference Restoring Justice for Ukraine

Speech | 19-09-2024

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Last Sunday a Russian guided bomb hit a residential building in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

The flames leapt metres into the air from the windows of the top floors.

According to the mayor of Kharkiv, twelve other buildings were also damaged in the same airstrike.

One person was killed and dozens were injured.

We are gathering today because they deserve justice.

They, and the thousands of civilians who have lost their houses – they, and the many thousands who have lost loved ones to Russian attacks.

Because of them, it’s an honour for me to address this third thematic conference in the context of the Peace Formula, dedicated to the formula’s seventh point: restoring justice for Ukraine.

And it’s an honour for the Netherlands to be the lead nation on this topic.

This is not the first time we’re meeting to discuss restoring justice, and it will probably not be the last.

I recall the Restoring Justice for Ukraine ministerial conference, co-hosted by Ukraine, the European Union and the Netherlands last April in The Hague.

Forty-four states reaffirmed their firm commitment to responding to Russia’s flagrant violations of international law in Ukraine.

They promised to step up efforts to investigate and prosecute international crimes, including the crime of aggression.

They pledged to continue developing a mechanism to compensate individuals, companies and Ukrainian authorities for damage caused by Russian aggression.

And they committed to promoting international dialogue on accountability for Ukraine.

Now, nearly six months later, it’s worth assessing our progress. Where do we stand today?

Clearly, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has not stopped and shows no signs of relenting in the near future.

However, significant progress has undoubtedly been made in restoring justice since early April.

Today I’d like to touch on six positive developments:

First, the Ukrainian prosecution service has been further reinforced by national and international efforts.

Second, Ukraine is nearing its accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the ICC.

Third, the ICC has issued additional arrest warrants for Russia’s former Minister and First Deputy Minister of Defence, for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including attacks on civilians and civilian objects.

Fourth, the Register of Damage for Ukraine is now operational, and continues to expand the range of damage categories eligible for claims.

Fifth, talks on the establishment of a claims commission are well under way, representing the second step towards a comprehensive compensation mechanism for Ukraine.

Negotiations on a founding instrument will hopefully be completed by mid-2025.

Finally, Prosecutor General Kostin recently hosted a donor coordination meeting under the Dialogue Group on Accountability for Ukraine.

And a mapping exercise regarding technical assistance is currently under way.

All this sends a very clear message: Russia will not escape accountability for the consequences of its ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine.

Of course, much remains to be done.

The establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression is a complex and challenging process.

It demands our undivided attention, along with creativity and flexibility.

And the positive developments I just summed up are not final destinations either.

They are merely steps along the way, in the long journey towards achieving justice for Ukraine.

My hope for today is that we will find new inspiration by listening to one another and sharing our knowledge and experiences.

So let’s stay focused on our ultimate goal: a free Ukraine, where attacks like those in Kharkiv are consigned to the past.

A free Ukraine, where justice is done for all.

Thank you.