Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Purvis of Tweed (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Monday, 23 March 2026.

Ukraine: Reparation

Question: My Lords, the excellent question the noble Lord, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, just asked the Minister was one that I asked him two years ago; regrettably, it is still a question that needs to be asked, however. The Government have now frozen upwards of £25 billion of Russian assets. Does the Minister agree that it would be inconceivable for the Putin regime to be rewarded by getting their assets back after all the horrors they have inflicted on the Ukrainian people? Should we not seize these funds and allow Ukraine to fight for its own sovereignty and repair the damage that has been inflicted on it?

Answer: I think that is pretty much impossible to conceive of. I know the noble Lord and my noble friend are aware of the current sanctions regime, under which we can freeze assets but not seize them. However, we need to make sure that, however it is done, Russia will pay the price for its illegal aggression in Ukraine.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 854 c1241
Session: 2024-26
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Compensation Armed conflict Cultural heritage Finance Loans Refugees Middle East Ukraine Russia Freezing of assets
Link: View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk