Bucha summit participants sign declaration on Russia’s accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine

About 50 states and international organizations signed the Bucha declaration on Russia's accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine.

The document was signed following the Bucha summit and published on the Ukrainian president’s website.

The summit participants condemned in the strongest possible terms the serious crimes under international law that have been committed on the territory of Ukraine, including the Bucha massacre which became a symbol of the horrors of the Russian aggression. They also expressed support for the efforts of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and expressed deep appreciation for the International Criminal Court’s unique and critical activities to ensure the prosecution of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes under international law and preventing their impunity.

The declaration also supports the efforts of States, including Ukraine, to investigate and prosecute crimes within their respective jurisdictions, committed on the territory of Ukraine or against Ukraine, in accordance with their national legislation and international law.

The summit participants recognized the need for the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation of damages, loss or injury, and arising from the internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine and supports the establishment of an international register of damage to serve as a record, in documentary form, of evidence and claims information on damages, loss or injury to all natural and legal persons concerned, as well as the State of Ukraine.

The declaration emphasizes the need to ensure comprehensive accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine through appropriate, fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at the domestic and international level, and stress the need to pursue practical steps towards this goal to ensure justice for all victims and to contribute to the prevention of future crimes.

As reported, the Bucha summit was held in Kyiv on March 3. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, almost 50 foreign countries and organizations joined the event.