Labour MP Blair McDougall has called on the Government to take decisive action by seizing frozen Russian assets and using them to support Ukraine’s war effort against Vladimir Putin. Speaking during a Commons debate, the East Renfrewshire MP argued that holding these funds indefinitely serves no purpose and urged immediate action to bolster Ukraine’s resistance.
A case for immediate action
Mr McDougall questioned the rationale behind the Government’s current approach, stating:
“Is there any conceivable situation where we and our international partners would unfreeze these assets and return them to Russia if Putin has not delivered the reparations he’s bound to pay? The answer has to be no.
“Rather than making policy on an imaginary future that won’t come, and holding these funds in perpetuity, we should use them now, in full, when Ukraine needs them most.”
He further suggested that if legal arguments posed a barrier, the Government should consider treating the assets as a loan, leaving Russia with a “credit note” and ensuring Ukraine receives the resources it urgently requires.
Legal pathways and international precedents
The debate highlighted the pressing need to explore legal mechanisms for asset seizure. Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, who initiated the discussion, emphasised that international law allows countermeasures against states that commit grave violations, such as the genocidal abduction of children.
“There is a clear legal pathway,” said Mr Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells. “States can act when there have been grievous violations of international law.”
Labour MP Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) intervened to point out that Canada and the United States have already enacted legislation permitting the seizure of frozen Russian assets.
She said: “Whilst no G7 nation has yet moved fully to seize Russian state assets, both Canada and the US have enacted legislation permitting this. Legislation on this matter is an important step forward.”
Mr Martin concurred, adding that the US has been quietly encouraging its G7 allies to investigate how to seize these assets and channel them to Ukraine.
Government response
Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen sanctions enforcement.
“Our commitment to Ukraine remains ironclad,” Mr Doughty stated. “We must have the necessary powers and tools to implement and enforce our sanctions regimes effectively.”
He announced a cross-government review to simplify compliance for businesses and enhance enforcement mechanisms, ensuring those who violate sanctions face the full force of the law.
The moral and strategic imperative
McDougall underscored the irony of the current situation, where Russia, having violated international norms, seeks the protection of the same legal order it has disregarded.
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“We are at risk of having our own commitment to the international order preventing us from enforcing it,” he said. “Putin, having stepped outside that international order, is demanding the protection of it. We need to listen to the echoes of history and make sure Ukraine has everything it needs to fight and win this war.”
Call for leadership
Campaigners and parliamentarians alike are urging the UK Government to take a leadership role within the G7, echoing past instances where Britain led international efforts to provide military aid to Ukraine.
Blair McDougall’s call reflects growing frustration among MPs who believe that decisive action on frozen assets is a moral and strategic necessity. With Ukraine’s struggle at a critical juncture, many argue that the UK must lead by example in transforming frozen Russian wealth into tangible support for the Ukrainian war effort.
The path ahead
The debate underscores a broader need to align legal, moral, and political imperatives in addressing Russia’s aggression. As the Government considers its next steps, the question remains: will Britain seize this opportunity to turn rhetoric into action and provide Ukraine with the resources it desperately needs to prevail?
