On 11 December, during a working visit to Brussels, Belgium, Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, met with Michael McGrath, the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues to synchronise joint efforts in the field of justice and the rule of law. In particular, they discussed the completion of the screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with European law under Cluster 1 and the start of negotiations on this Cluster. Michael McGrath welcomed the progress made by Ukraine and praised the amount of work that has been done so far. The European Commission has already reviewed the draft Rule of Law Roadmap, which is a prerequisite for the opening of Cluster 1, and is preparing its recommendations.

The meeting participants also focused on the issues of restoring justice and holding russia to account. They discussed the finalisation of decisions on the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as the functioning of the International Register of Damage, which is part of the international compensation mechanism.

“russia must be held fully accountable for all its crimes, and justice must not be delayed. Accountability must begin now. It is important to give a clear signal to the aggressor that justice is not a post-war issue, it must come now,” stressed Olha Stefanishyna.

The parties also discussed the need to deepen sanctions against russia and use frozen russian assets to strengthen and restore Ukraine.

For his part, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath assured of further support for Ukraine on the issues discussed. He also expressed hope to visit Ukraine in early 2025.