Ukraine: Reparation

Baroness Bull Excerpts

Monday 23rd March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I agree with my noble friend, and that is why the register and the commission are vital parts of the role the UK is playing to support Ukraine.

[Baroness Bull (CB)]

My Lords, as of late 2024, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has recorded at least 2,000 instances of damage to and looting of cultural sites and infrastructure—museums, libraries, religious sites, historical buildings and so on. Does the Minister agree that this wanton destruction of cultural heritage is a war crime and is a blatant act intended to destroy cultural identity and the distinct nationhood of Ukraine? If so, will the Government commit to ensuring that financial reparation will include restitution, repatriation and reconstruction of these cultural assets, which are so vital to Ukraine’s historic and future identity?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Baroness draws our attention to an important aspect of this hideous war: the attack on Ukrainian identity. One of the ways this is put into effect is through the deliberate, wanton destruction of cultural artefacts. They can be registered, and decisions will be made; I think there are 130,000 registered acts that have been included so far, though obviously there are far more that we can expect to be included. All of these things need to be considered, because this is not just about territory, it is about Ukrainian identity.