Baroness Goudie
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to earmark a dedicated proportion of any future UK financial assistance, loans, or aid packages to Ukraine to finance reparation.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
We remain committed to the principle that Russia should pay for the damage that it has caused. We will continue to co-ordinate with international partners to ensure that Ukraine gets the funding it needs. In December 2025, the United Kingdom signed the convention to establish an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission will assess claims submitted under the register of damage to determine future compensation amounts to be repaid by Russia.
Baroness Goudie (Lab)
My Lords, the United Kingdom’s support package for Ukraine must include financial reparation for survivors of human rights abuses. Frozen Russian assets must be utilised to support this objective. The Government must continue to work with the G7 and the European Union. The Ukraine Facility provides the financing for Ukraine, upon satisfactory fulfilment of the conditions laid down in the Ukraine plan 2024-27. This sets up both the investment and the reform agenda for Ukraine, including the measures to strengthen the rule of law. Assistance must be linked to policy conditions, including assistance for the financing of compensation as a form of reparation to individuals who have suffered damage from the illegal actions of Russia.
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.
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Con)
My Lords, does the Minister agree with me that we should not give up on the idea that the frozen Russian assets themselves should be used, rather than just making loans or payments on their behalf? They should be seen as a downpayment on the reparations that Russia will one day rightly have to pay.
While at the moment we clearly do not see the United States giving this conflict as much attention as we would like, I am sure the Minister has seen that the Ukrainians are inflicting record casualties on Russian troops through their brilliant use of drones. Does she agree that this proves this is a cause worth investing in and supporting, because the Ukrainians are in the right?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
Absolutely. We have all declared many times in this Chamber and elsewhere our admiration and respect for the people of Ukraine, and our determination to stand by them. The noble Lord’s last point was really quite important; we must remain focused on Ukraine, despite what is happening elsewhere. The innovation and learning that the Ukrainian fighters have been able to glean from their heroic efforts will be absolutely vital in defending against drone attacks in other parts of the world.
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)
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?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
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.
Baroness Chakrabarti (Lab)
My Lords, I agree with my noble friend the Minister that it will take careful work to construct an appropriate legal structure for the redirection of frozen assets in the future. In the meantime, what is happening to the interest?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
That is an interesting point. Any interest must be dealt with fairly and the principle that the aggressor pays must be maintained. On consideration of what is done with the interest, this is being dealt with differently and has been used to support loans to Ukraine. The fundamental point that really matters is that it is Russia that needs to pay for the consequences of what it has chosen to do.
Baroness Rawlings (Con)
What assessment have HMG earmarked for other refugee movements in the Middle East?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
We are working very closely with allies and partners in the Middle East. We have announced very recently some additional funding, particularly for Lebanon, which has been a long-standing host for displaced people, and the same in Jordan and elsewhere. We will continue to play the fullest role in supporting those displaced communities.
Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)
My Lords, can the Minister say whether, in the discussion that the Prime Minister had at the weekend with the President of the United States, he drew attention to the talks that President Zelensky had with us in Westminster last week and emphasised the need to keep the pressure on Russia? Given President Trump’s capacity to change his mind, might it not be worth having another go at that?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The Prime Minister does not need me to remind him to raise the importance of standing shoulder to shoulder with President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine at every opportunity. I know that he does this and will continue to do so.
Lord Callanan (Con)
My Lords, I think there is unanimity across the House. I find myself agreeing on this matter with both the noble Lords, Lord Purvis and Lord Cameron, and the noble Baroness, in that Russia should fund the reparation of the appalling damages that it has inflicted on the people of Ukraine. To that end, can the Minister tell the House where the Government have got to in their pursuit of utilising the assets of the sale of Chelsea Football Club to help in that cause?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
We continue in our position that those assets should be used to support the people of Ukraine. We will continue to use whatever mechanisms we can to bring this about. It needs to be done in lockstep with our partners and that is the approach we have taken. We will act within the law, because we think that is the right thing to do. However, he is right to raise this and there is money there that should be going to the people of Ukraine—that is what was promised.
Lord Teverson (LD)
My Lords, given that Ukraine has gone slightly below the radar because of the Middle East, does the Minister agree that the coverage over the past year was quite negative about Ukraine, but it has turned out more recently that Ukraine does have the cards and is very successful in its resistance to the Russian invasion?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
This is a war that was meant to last three weeks, if that, and look at where we are in 2026, and what we are learning from—and how we are being inspired by—the people of Ukraine. This does need to end. Ukraine is ready for peace; it has said it is ready and willing for a ceasefire. It is Russia that is prolonging this dreadful conflict. We still have close to 20,000 Ukrainian children held in Russia. This is wrong and it could—and should—stop now.