Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset during his visit to Kyiv. One of the key topics of discussion between the parties was the continuation of work on an international compensation mechanism for damage caused to Ukraine by the occupiers, the communications department of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine said.

"We must force Russia to pay for the destruction caused to Ukraine. The creation of the Register of Damages at the Council of Europe summit last year was a landmark decision on this path. We expect that next year all 45 categories of applications for compensation for damage caused by Russia will be operational in the register," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also said it is necessary to speed up the launch of the Compensation Commission and the Compensation Fund as parts of the compensation mechanism. The parties discussed further work on the creation of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

"All Russian war criminals must answer for their actions. In particular, those criminals who kidnapped Ukrainian children," he said.

Shmyhal thanked the Council of Europe for its leadership in creating the Advisory Group and for appointing a Special Representative for Children in Ukraine, and also noted the importance for the Ukrainian people of the Council of Europe's assistance in upholding justice, rebuilding the country and ensuring a safe future.

"I am also grateful to the Council of Europe Development Bank, which quickly responded to the challenges of war, in particular, through the HOME. Compensation for Destroyed Housing project. The total volume of the Bank's portfolio of operations in Ukraine until 2027 will amount to more than 1 billion euros," the Prime Minister said.