Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, who is taking part in the Council of Europe’s summit in Reykjavik, has called for addressing the issue of Ukraine’s reconstruction and for creating a legal framework to punish Russia for war crimes.
“The reconstruction of Ukraine cannot be put off until the end of the war. Reconstructing and rebuilding the country is a key factor for Ukraine’s faster integration into the European Union,” Nausėda said at the United for Ukraine debate on Tuesday evening.
“We need to see it as a coherent process. The start of accession negotiations this year would be a strong impetus for progress,” he said.
Nausėda said that Russia’s “brutal war has united Europe” and that the continent “has joined forces to defend freedom and democracy”.
The president said after the meeting that he underlined the importance of creating legal mechanisms to punish the aggressor.
“In terms of military assistance, economic and financial support, Europe and the world as a whole have certainly done a lot to support Ukraine, but in terms of building the legal framework and in terms of accountability for war crimes and for crimes of aggression, we are lagging a little behind the progress that has been recorded in other areas,” Nausėda said.
“Here in Reykjavik, we have a great opportunity to catch up,” he added.
The Lithuanian president said that this mechanism should include a special tribunal and a damage register, adding that these steps were necessary to ensure that “the aggressor does not escape responsibility and does not go unpunished”.
“This is important not only in the context of this war, but also when looking ahead to the future, so that new aggressors do not want to try our strength again and that they know that they will be punished, and that the punishment will be tough and severe enough,” he said.
In early May, Lithuania joined a register being set up by the Council of Europe’s members on the damage caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The register will be based in the Netherlands and will register evidence of damage and claims for damages or injuries. It is expected to be set up within a month.
Moreover, Ukraine, Lithuania and other countries in the region are seeking a special tribunal to investigate Russia’s crimes of aggression, which would also be capable of holding its leadership accountable for war crimes in Ukraine.
Speaking about the prospects for peace talks, Nausėda insisted that negotiations could only be held on terms acceptable to Ukraine and recognising its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in March 2022, a few weeks after it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, information has emerged recently that dozens of Russian citizens are still working in the human rights organisation.
Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe has 46 members and seeks to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe.
Lithuania will take over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe next year.
Nausėda said that its priorities “will be focused on Ukraine and the development of freedom and democracy”.
The president is wrapping up his visit in Iceland on Wednesday.
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