European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on Wednesday called for a special UN-backed court to investigate and prosecute Russia for alleged crimes against Ukraine.
While announcing the move from the commission and recalling alleged atrocities discovered in the Kiev suburb of Bucha, Von der Leyen said in a video on Twitter that; “Russia’s horrific crimes will not go unpunished.”
The EU Commission president said the commission was working to establish international support for the special court, in addition to supporting the International Criminal Court’s investigations of Russia.
She said Russia also needed to compensate Ukraine for damages, and cover the costs of rebuilding the country, in reference to Russia’s frozen assets, following Western sanctions, as a possible source of funding.
According to her, 300 billion euros, 310 billion dollars, in assets from the country’s central bank reserves, have already been frozen along Russian Oligarchs’ 19 billion euros.
“These funds should be used so that Russia pays full compensation for the damages caused Ukraine,” the EU Commission president, who wants to invest the funds in coordination with international partners once sanctions on Russia have been lifted, said.
According to Von der Leyen, damages in Ukraine are estimated at 600 billion euros; and an estimated 20,000 civilians and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed. (dpa/NAN)
