PACE’s Legal Affairs Committee calls for implementation of ECtHR judgments concerning Russia

On 9 September 2026, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Legal Affairs Committee called for Russian state assets to be repurposed to pay Ukraine compensation. The call follows two rulings by the European Court of Human Rights in inter-State cases brought by Ukraine, which found Russia responsible for serious human rights violations resulting from its war of aggression.

 

Based on a report by PACE Rapporteur Mr Tony Vaughan KC (UK SOC), the Committee said repurposing these assets to pay compensation to Ukraine would constitute a lawful countermeasure under international law and called for a Council of Europe funding mechanism to receive and disburse the funds. Around €260 billion in Russian Central Bank assets have been immobilised since Russia’s full-scale invasion, including around €210 billion held in the EU.

 

The report is due to be debated by the full Assembly on 30 September during its forthcoming plenary session.

 

Aarif Abraham contributed to discussions relating to enforcement of judgments, state immunity, and lawful countermeasures during the preparation of the report. 

 

Further information is available on the PACE website, here. 

The provisional report of Mr Vaughan is available, here.

 

For further information about Aarif, please contact our International Practice Manager Naomi Smith or our Senior Civil Clerk, Sian Wilkins.