Proposition to the Storting on Norwegian participation in Claims Commission and Special Tribunal for Ukraine

In the proposition, the Government requests the Storting's consent to ratify the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine. The Government is also proposing that Norway participates as a member of the Management Committee that will govern the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

'This marks a milestone in Norway's efforts to hold Russia accountable for its crime of aggression against Ukraine. It is also an important day for all of the victims. A Claims Commission will make it possible for victims to submit claims for compensation for the enormous loss and damage inflicted on them. The Special Tribunal will prosecute Russian military and political leaders. We are sending a clear message that Russia will be held accountable,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

The respective mechanisms have been negotiated by a group of countries including Ukraine. Both mechanisms will be established within the organisational framework of the Council of Europe.

Part of Norway's support to Ukraine

Norway has consistently condemned Russia's serious violations of international law and continues to support Ukraine in its fight to defend itself.

It is crucial to ensure that Russia is held financially accountable in order to achieve a lasting and just peace and to prevent future violations of international law.

'The efforts to hold Russia legally and financially accountable for the war go hand in hand with Norway's plans to continue its wide-ranging military and civilian support to Ukraine. We must also maintain and intensify pressure on Russia's war economy,' said Mr Eide.

Important to Norwegian interests as well

'Ukraine's battle to defend itself is also our battle - Norway's and Europe's battle. It is in Norway's national interests to maintain an international order based on the rule of law. And this international order can only be upheld if serious violations of international law are met with clear reactions. The establishment of the Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal are vital in this context,' said Mr Eide.

A number of resolutions in the UN General Assembly have stated unequivocally that Russia must be held accountable for its violations of international law. The General Assembly has highlighted the need for national and international prosecution of those responsible, justice for victims, and the establishment of an international compensation mechanism for Ukraine.

Norwegian participation in the Claims Commission and the Special Tribunal was discussed in the white paper on the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine (Meld. St. 8 (2023-2024)).

Hope for rapid progress

On 25 June 2025, the Council of Europe and Ukraine signed an agreement on establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Tribunal will be financed and overseen by a Management Committee, established through an enlarged partial agreement.

Norway has notified the Council of Europe that it plans to join the partial agreement, subject to the consent of the Storting.

Norway has already signed the agreement establishing a claims commission. The agreement must be ratified by at least 25 countries in order for it to enter into force. Norway's early ratification is intended to enable the agreement to enter into force as quickly as possible, so that the work to obtain financial compensation for the victims can begin.

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