Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sanctioned Russian Assets

Tuesday 14 March 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government have frozen Russian assets but are considering how to repurpose them in compliance with domestic and international law to assist Ukraine's reconstruction.
  • The EU and Canada have plans to shift frozen Russian assets into a fund for Ukraine, but these projects are still in progress and no country has yet liquidated frozen assets.
  • UK has led campaigns to prevent sexual violence in conflict and will continue to work with international partners to hold perpetrators accountable.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Ukraine
Context

The UK Government has frozen Russian assets, but the EU and Canada have plans to shift such assets into funds for rebuilding Ukraine.

Question

Whether he is taking steps to seize and repurpose sanctioned Russian assets to assist the reconstruction of Ukraine. The UK Government have frozen Russian assets, but the EU has already set out a plan to shift such assets into a fund to help rebuild Ukraine, and Canada has already passed a law to do the same. What is stopping us? Why can we not do the same?

Answer from James Cleverly

The simple principle is that Russia should pay for the harm and damage it has caused. We must ensure any proposals are robust, safe, and compliant with domestic and international law, and we will consider all lawful routes to ensure Russia pays for the damage and harm.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline not provided

How: Domestic And International Law Compliance

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Q2 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Ukraine
Context

The EU has set out a plan to shift frozen Russian assets into a fund for rebuilding Ukraine, and Canada has passed a law to do the same.

Question

What is stopping us from doing what the EU and Canada have done in shifting frozen Russian assets into a fund for rebuilding Ukraine?

Answer from James Cleverly

Both projects are still in train; neither has come to a conclusion, and no country has liquidated frozen assets. Anything we do needs to be compliant with domestic and international law.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline not provided

How: Domestic And International Law Compliance

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Q3 Anthony Mangnall
Ukraine Women & Equalities
Context

Reconstruction efforts in Ukraine include addressing the needs of women who have been victims of sexual violence.

Question

Reconstruction of Ukraine will also require rehabilitating and helping women. In the wake of what we have done on preventing sexual violence in conflict, what steps will we now be able to take to help those who have been victims of sexual violence?

Answer from James Cleverly

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for work on preventing sexual violence in conflict. The UK has led campaigns in this area, and Lord Ahmad organised a conference last year. We must ensure perpetrators are held accountable and will work with international partners.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps not provided

How: Working With International Partners

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Q4 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

Ukraine's budget has a $38 billion gap, and the cost of damage to critical infrastructure runs into hundreds of billions. Russia is responsible.

Question

Ukraine's 2023 budget alone has a $38 billion gap, and the cost of damage to critical infrastructure runs into the hundreds of billions. There is one party responsible: Russia. We support Government plans for reconstruction conference this summer, but we cannot have any dragging of heels in making Russia foot bill for barbarous war. When will Foreign Secretary set out clear plan to seize—not just freeze—Russian state assets and repurpose them?

Answer from James Cleverly

It is not as easy as implied. There have been conflicts before with perpetrators but no seizure of assets. We need to ensure compliance with domestic and international law, will look at proposals from friends and allies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline not provided

How: Domestic And International Law Compliance

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