Ukraine's allies will press for Russian reparations

Significance

Aside from considering war crimes, Western leaders are also preparing to levy costs on Moscow for the damage it has done. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on February 18 that it was 'unthinkable' that Russia would not pay towards Ukraine's reconstruction.

Impacts

• As long as Moscow is intent on winning this war, it will be impervious to claims and lawsuits.
• A reparations process will take years, and Russia will run short of the oil revenues it would need to pay.
• Crimes committed by Wagner Group mercenaries raise questions of command responsibility relating to who directed them.