Peace Plans To Be Put To Russia Within Days As Europe Launches Claims Commission To Seek War Damages From Moscow

Ukraine is preparing to present US-brokered peace proposals to Russia within days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as European leaders simultaneously launched a new international claims commission aimed at securing compensation for hundreds of billions of dollars in damage caused by Russia’s invasion.

The parallel diplomatic and legal tracks underline a dual strategy: push for a negotiated end to the war while laying the groundwork to hold Moscow financially and legally accountable.

What did Zelenskyy say about the peace proposals?

Following two days of talks with US officials in Berlin, Zelenskyy said proposals negotiated with Washington were close to finalisation and would soon be conveyed to the Kremlin by American envoys.

US officials said as much as “90%” of contentious issues between Kyiv and Moscow had been resolved in the discussions, though Russia has not taken part in the talks and has yet to review any formal texts.

What would Zelenskyy do if Russia rejects the peace proposals?

Zelenskyy warned that if Moscow rejected the proposals, Ukraine would consider it a “fair request” to seek additional US weapons and tougher sanctions.

In comments to journalists, he said the package included five documents, some focused on security guarantees that would be legally binding through approval by the US Congress and designed to “mirror Article 5” of NATO, though without immediate NATO membership.

Why is there a fundamental disagreement on Donbas?

The Ukrainian leader acknowledged that fundamental disagreements remain, particularly over the Donbas region. Russia is seeking control over the entire area, including territory it does not currently occupy.

“They want our Donbas. And we do not want to give away our Donbas,” Zelenskyy said, adding that US suggestions of a “free economic zone” there would not mean Russian control.

How do the US and Europe’s views differ on the peace plan?

US officials have not detailed the security guarantees or how violations would be addressed, but confirmed Washington does not plan to deploy troops to Ukraine.

European leaders, including those from the UK, France, and Germany, said a “coalition of the willing” could help regenerate Ukraine’s forces, secure its skies, and support safer seas, stopping short of NATO-style guarantees.

The Kremlin said it had not seen any formal proposals. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s unchanged position, including opposition to foreign troops in Ukraine and demands that Kyiv cede territory claimed by Moscow.

Why did Europe move to create an international commission?

As diplomacy continued, Europe moved to institutionalise accountability. At a gathering in The Hague, 34 European leaders signed a convention to launch an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, intended to assess and rule on compensation claims for damage and alleged war crimes stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“Every Russian war crime must have consequences,” Zelenskyy said, calling accountability essential to a lasting peace.

What would the commission do for Ukraine?

The commission, based in the Netherlands, will build on the Register of Damage established by the Council of Europe in 2023, which has already received more than 86,000 claims from individuals, organisations, and public bodies.

The mechanism will review claims for loss, injury, and destruction caused by Russian acts in or against Ukraine since the invasion, covering alleged violations of international law.

Claims can be brought by individuals, companies, or the Ukrainian state, and awards will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Would the reparations be swift?

However, officials cautioned that reparations will not be swift. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said the goal was to have validated claims ultimately paid by Russia, noting the commission itself offers no guarantee of payment.

Discussions have included the possible use of frozen Russian assets in the EU, supplemented by member contributions, an idea Moscow has denounced as illegal.

What is the World Bank’s estimation of damage in Ukraine?

The World Bank estimates Ukraine’s reconstruction needs at $524 billion over the next decade, a figure that does not include damage from intensified Russian strikes this year on utilities, transport, and civilian infrastructure.

Together, the imminent peace proposals and the launch of the claims commission highlight the stakes of the moment: a push to end active hostilities paired with a long-term effort to enforce rules, accountability, and reparations in Europe’s largest conflict since World War Two.