Speaking on TVP World, Professor Scott Lucas of University College Dublin said the initiative reflects the scale of destruction in Ukraine. “The full-scale Russian invasion… has caused billions of dollars of damage across Ukraine,” he said, noting that strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure continue daily. Lucas explained that the process moves beyond documenting losses toward accountability. “Do you hold them accountable not only by saying this is the extent of the damage, but in effect Russia should repay for this?” he asked. The effort is closely tied to frozen Russian assets—around “€300 billion of Russian frozen assets, about €210 billion of those in Europe.” Lucas said a formal finding on reparations would strengthen the EU’s case for using those funds to support Ukraine through a reparations loan. While enforcement remains uncertain, Lucas argued the legal principle matters. “It’s not a question of waiting until after this invasion ends,” he said. “It’s important for accountability that an independent legal process establishes exactly the level of responsibility that the Kremlin bears.” Lucas was skeptical of U.S. support under President Donald Trump, asserting, “It’s highly doubtful that the Trump administration will sign on to this,” and adding that Washington’s stance “increases the importance that others in the international community step up.” Turning to talks in Berlin, Lucas cautioned against optimism. “The Kremlin has refused a ceasefire unless it effectively gets Ukraine’s surrender,” he warned, though he said meaningful security guarantees could still shift the balance. On Europe’s broader role, Lucas said the moment demands collective leadership. “The U.S.–European alliance we’ve had since World War Two is gone,” he said. “The question is whether Europe steps up economically, politically, and militarily.”