No Russian surrender agreement in near future, reparations unlikely – Ukrainian diplomat
In an interview with Radio NV on Nov. 9, Valerii Chaly, Ukraine’s former ambassador to the United States, said that Ukraine will not sign a surrender agreement with Russia anytime soon.
“We will not have a surrender agreement with Russia in the coming years. It may happen someday, but not in the near future. So forget about any reparations formalized in such a way,” Chaly said.
While ruling out a formal surrender agreement, Chaly suggested that Ukraine could pursue reparations through an international court, presenting this as one possible avenue to seek compensation for the extensive damage suffered during the conflict.
“The main form of compensation for the damage, state losses amounting to hundreds of billions, will be financial compensation,” Chaly said.
“Where does this compensation go? When you don’t have a formal interstate agreement or a UN resolution, then it turns out that it’s the decision of each individual country. And here arises the question.”
“I am confident that it will happen, the interests of our partners are embedded here. I appreciate this assistance, and it’s very good that their interests align with ours. They will come in with reconstruction projects, with these funds in Ukraine along with their control. That’s how it will be.”
According to Chaly, “our [Ukraine’s] dependence on external partners is enormous.”
“This money can be directed very specifically, prioritizing development where we can already have this development base and further enhance the country’s development. If they go towards restoring the state we had before the large-scale invasion, towards restoring metallurgical or chemical enterprises, so that our international specialization remains the same, I think it would not be entirely correct.”
In September, it was reported that Ukraine would demand reparations from Russia during the hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Ukraine’s lawsuit against Russia. However, Kyiv has not yet determined the amount it will demand.
Earlier this year, Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for the Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, had stated that post-war reconstruction in Ukraine would rely heavily on reparations from Russia.
Kubrakov envisioned Russian funds contributing at least 50% of the financing, with the remaining 25% each coming from Ukraine’s partners and state funding.
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