Ukraine: Reparation

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Monday 23rd March 2026 Lords Chamber

[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.