The Danube Commission supported Ukraine’s initiative to create a Register of Damage from Russian Aggression on the Lower Danube and to systematically collect data on damage that impedes free and safe navigation.
The adoption of the resolution “On the Violation of the Belgrade Convention Caused by Military Actions of the Russian Federation” was supported by the majority of participating countries. The following voted “in favor”: Austria, Germany, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia.
“This resolution is a key decision that strengthens international support for Ukraine, ensures documentation of damage and restores justice for the Danube ports that have become targets of Russian aggression. I thank our international partners for their solidarity and support in adopting this decision, as well as the Ukrainian delegation for their hard work,” said Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine – Minister of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports lead to the destruction of port infrastructure, damage to vessels and cargo, and create risks for international logistics and the safety of navigation on the Danube. The creation of the Register is an important step in recording this damage and forming an international legal basis for holding the aggressor state accountable.
“This is an important strategic step that will strengthen support for Ukraine and Russia’s responsibility for the damage caused during the aggression against Ukraine. “To fulfill the tasks set by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian diplomacy continues to systematically build the architecture of the Russian Federation’s responsibility for its crimes and harm. Justice is an integral part of lasting peace. We are grateful to all partners who supported this step,” emphasized the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga.
It is significant that the Commission meeting began with a moment of silence as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine and commemoration of those killed in Russian aggression.
The resolution is consistent with the Council of Europe’s approaches to the Register of Damage, which allows for recording the damage caused by the Russian aggression according to uniform international standards. The Danube Commission also condemned the military actions of the Russian Federation as violating the basic principles of the Belgrade Convention.
From now on, the Secretariat of the Danube Commission will:
keep a Register of Damages until the end of the aggressive war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine;
publish and regularly update the general information on the official website of the Commission;
transfer data to the Council of Europe and the European Union;
inform the Commission about the military actions of the Russian Federation that impede navigation.
Russia, since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, was first suspended from membership in the Danube Commission, and then de facto excluded from it thanks to the work of the Ukrainian delegation. It is worth mentioning that during 2021-2024, it was Ukraine that held the highest political position of the Chairman of the Commission. Today’s decision is another step towards isolating the aggressor and protecting international law. We continue to strengthen Russia’s responsibility within the Commission