Danube Commission Launches Legal Framework to Document Damage from Russia’s War
The Danube Commission has endorsed Ukraine’s initiative to establish a Register of Damage documenting losses caused by Russia’s military aggression in the Lower Danube region.
The Gaze reports this, citing a post by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
The decision was formalized through the adoption of a resolution titled “On the Violation of the Belgrade Convention Caused by the Military Actions of the Russian Federation.” The measure received majority support from Commission members, with Austria, Croatia, Germany, Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia voting in favor.
Under the resolution, the Commission will not only launch the damage register but also ensure systematic data collection on disruptions to free and safe navigation along the Danube. Sybiha described the decision as part of a broader diplomatic effort to build mechanisms of accountability.
“This is an important strategic step that reinforces international support for Ukraine and strengthens Russia’s responsibility for the damage caused by its aggression,” he said. “Justice is an essential component of a lasting peace.”
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister for the Development of Communities and Territories, Oleksiy Kuleba, also welcomed the decision.
“This resolution is a key step that strengthens international support for Ukraine, ensures proper documentation of damage, and restores justice for Danube ports that have become targets of Russian aggression,” Kuleba said, thanking partner countries and the Ukrainian delegation for their efforts.
Russian strikes on Ukrainian Danube ports have repeatedly damaged port facilities, civilian vessels, and cargo, posing serious risks to international logistics and maritime safety. Ukrainian officials stress that the new register will help establish a legal foundation for holding Russia financially and legally responsible for these losses.
The resolution authorizes the President of the Danube Commission to notify the President of the UN General Assembly of the decision and confirms the Commission’s readiness to cooperate with international organizations, including the Council of Europe and the European Union, to restore navigation and pursue accountability.
In line with Council of Europe standards, the Register of Damage will apply uniform international methodologies to record losses. The Secretariat of the Danube Commission will be tasked with maintaining the register until the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine, publishing regularly updated summary data on the Commission’s website, sharing collected information with European and international institutions, and reporting on military actions that obstruct navigation.
The Commission also formally condemned Russia’s military actions as violations of the Belgrade Convention, which guarantees free and safe navigation on the Danube.
As The Gaze reported earlier, European countries on Tuesday formally launched an International Claims Commission aimed at assessing and pursuing compensation for the vast destruction caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Read more on The Gaze: War Losses in Numbers: Ukraine’s Judiciary Orders Russia to Pay Hundreds of Billions